Erectile dysfunction is a condition apparently faced by eight out of ten elderly men. According to a recent study, older men affected by erectile dysfunction have higher chances of developing cardiovascular disease. It was suggested that discussing the condition with a GP can help conduct necessary tests and employ better medication along with lifestyle changes.
The study included 6304 men aged between 55 and 88 years among whom half reported erectile dysfunction. Investigators aimed to analyze if men affected by the condition have increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. A five-year follow-up was conducted during which 1579 cardiovascular disease events like stroke, heart attack and brain hemorrhage were registered. Dr. David Batty, a Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow at University College London and lead author, and colleagues conclude that erectile dysfunction may raise chances of developing cardiovascular disease. The risk appeared to be between a third and a half.
Authors assume that erectile dysfunction points out a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether the condition itself triggers cardiovascular events is under wraps, but it seems to be a marker of heart disease risk. It is vital that men facing erectile dysfunction especially in middle age talk to their GP, as it can possibly a symptom of a more serious underlying condition.
The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.