If you have erection problems, you should always consult a doctor but now, thanks to a new study, you have another reason. According to Australian researchers, the wellbeing of men with even relatively minor erectile difficulties could be at risk of ‘silent’ heart disease and an increased risk of dying early. The study found that, if you’re a man with erectile dysfunction, you are more likely to be admitted to hospital for heart disease, even if you have no history of heart problems, and you’re at greater risk of premature death from any cause.
In a press release, lead author of the study Professor Emily Banks said, ‘Rather than causing heart disease, erectile dysfunction is more likely to be a symptom or signal of underlying ‘silent’ heart disease and could in future become a useful marker to help doctors predict the risk of a cardiovascular problem. This is a sensitive topic but men shouldn’t suffer in silence; there are many effective treatments, both for erectile dysfunction and for cardiovascular disease.’
The NHS estimates that 50% of men aged 40 to 70 years have some degree of erection problems, and this study, published in international journal PLOS Medicine, is the first to show a direct link between how severe your problem is and your risk of dying early or being treated in hospital for heart disease. According to Banks, ‘The risks of future heart disease and premature death increased steadily with severity of erectile dysfunction, both in men with and without a history of cardiovascular disease.’
For the study, the team used data from the 45 and Up Study, the largest on-going study of healthy ageing in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 250,000 people taking part. The researchers looked at the hospital and death records of over 95,000 men, as well as information about health and lifestyle factors. Banks explained, ‘The large number of men in the study meant we could also look at the risks in relation to different types of cardiovascular disease. We found men with erectile dysfunction were at higher risk of heart attack, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and heart conduction problems.’
In a media release, Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Health Director Dr Rob Grenfell added, ‘These results tell us that every man who is suffering from any degree of erectile dysfunction should be seeking medical assistance as early as possible and also insisting on a heart health check by their GP at the same time.’
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