Heart Disease and ED

It’s not news that Americans are getting more unhealthy and overweight with each passing decade. Add to that our sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and smoking and it’s no wonder that cardiovascular diseases are on the rise. In addition, being overweight and generally unhealthy can lead to erectile dysfunction. To avoid heart disease and address other issues, it’s recommended that you exercise, eat healthy and stay away from cigarettes. These changes could help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and maybe even address erectile dysfunction. Good news, though is on the horizon for men who suffer ED and heart issues. If these men see their doctors and are prescribed a medication like Viagra, a statin drug, and incorporate lifestyle changes into their daily routines, they may see an improvement in their heart health and their sexual functions. Cardiologists at the Mayo Clinic feel that keeping the blood flowing in even one area of the body can help keep it flowing in another and this, in turn, can help with the heart. While not all men who are dealing with ED are faced with heart disease, some do. There has been a correlation between those men who suffer ED and those who eventually develop cardiovascular diseases. ED can show up three to five years prior to heart issues developing. If this is noted in younger men, it is an important warning sign that doctors need to heed. As men age and if they develop ED, they may only have a slightly elevated risk of heart disease than does a man who is in his 40s. It’s been shown that a 40-year old who develops ED is close to 50 time more at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. ED has become a unique red flag in assessing the risk of heart disease. If a man – regardless of his age – feels pain, pressure or tightening in his chest he should immediately talk with his partner and then seek medical attention. Just as a man should speak with his physician if he is suffering ED. Regardless of whether it’s an easy conversation to have, it is a crucial one. ED is easy to treat with medications such as Viagra and getting back into a sexual life is a great side benefit of taking care of your sexual dysfunction.