Heart Disease and Erectile Dysfunction

The Link Between ED and Heart Disease

Erectile dysfunction (ED) precedes coronary artery disease (CAD) in almost 70% of cases.21 In fact, ED could be an indicator of silent CAD, heart disease you don’t know you have.

What’s good for your heart is good for your penis

Arteries Go Everywhere

The blood supply to your penis starts in your heart and flows through arteries in the belly to even smaller arteries that branch off to carry blood into the penis. With sexual stimulation, these blood vessels need to rapidly increase blood flow. If these blood vessels are blocked (atherosclerosis) by coronary artery disease, you may not be able to achieve or maintain an erection.21

ED and Heart Disease

Learn more about the connection between heart disease and ED

Which Comes First

ED and heart disease are considered two signs of the same disease process. The smaller arteries in the penis are affected by atherosclerosis sooner, perhaps three or more years before they cause heart disease symptoms.21
A large international study found that men with ED were more likely to die from heart causes; have a heart attack, stroke or be admitted to the hospital with heart failure than men with no or mild ED.22

Take Control

You may reduce your risk of ED by improving your heart health. Healthy lifestyle choices often encourage you to stop smoking, lose weight, and increase physical activity. If ED persists, oral medications are a common first therapy for ED. If oral medications don’t work for you, other treatment options include penile implants, vacuum devices and injections. Some treatments may be more effective than others for a man suffering with heart disease.

Did you know?

ED precedes coronary artery disease in almost 70% of cases.21

ED and Heart Disease

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by atherosclerosis, the clogging of the arteries seen in heart disease

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Heart Disease and Erectile Dysfunction

What You Need To Know

Heart Disease and Erectile Dysfunction

Treatments Beyond Medications

Oral medications are a common first step to treat ED, but they don’t work for everyone – especially men with heart disease. Men taking nitrates for heart disease or those taking alpha blocking agents for blood pressure are generally not candidates for oral ED medication.36 In addition, some medications simply do not work for certain men. When ED medication is not the answer, there are other options.

Achieving a Satisfying Sex Life

Finding a satisfying solution to ED can be a life-changing event for many men and their partners. Talk to your GP or urologist about all your treatment options.
Treatment Options
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