Health Conditions Linked To Erectile Dysfunction

Experiencing ED can be one of the earliest symptoms of blockage in the arteries that could be the beginning of a stroke or heart attack. Heart attacks occur when blood flow to a portion of the heart becomes blocked typically by a blood clot, the damaged tissue is typically made by a blocked coronary artery that will prevent oxygen from getting to the tissue muscle of the heart. There have been numerous studies to show a relationship between ED and a heart condition. In America heart attacks are a leading cause of death.

Strokes can occur when a blood vein feeding the brain either bursts or becomes clogged, arteries which supply the penis get blocked first because they are smaller. Within 20-30% of men experiencing ED, they also have some form of unknown heart disease or blockage in their blood veins if they also have at least 2 other risk factors for developing a heart condition such as being a smoker and high cholesterol. 

Coronary artery disease occurs when important blood veins supplying the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients becomes diseased or injured, most often by cholesterol containing deposits in your veins and infection. CAD is the most common sign of a heart disorder, and it is a leading cause of death in America. Diseased arteries can also be a symptom of another heart disease; CAD can cause stroke/heart attack and lead to heart failure and abnormal pulse. Studies show that having ED under the age of 45 is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. Endothelium tells blood veins when to contract/relax, when they become damaged it makes it more difficult for the insulation to function accurately and for blood to reach the penis because those blood veins are unable to relax.

When blood glucose/blood sugar becomes too high diabetes can occur which can have one of the most devastating influences on ED because not only does it affect blood flow, but it also affects the nerves. Men with diabetes are 4-6 times more likely to develop ED, and diabetes can also lead to heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. 

Dementia is a term to explain many of the signs of cognitive decreases, and it is also a sign of various underlying disorders of brain diseases. Men with ED have been shown to be at least 1.69 times more likely to be able to improve symptoms of dementia, but while there is a relationship the data does not show that dementia causes ED or vice versa. These two disease often have some form of related risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or atherosclerosis. 

Having prostate cancer does not cause ED but the treatments used to fight off the cancer such as radiation or surgery can cause erectile dysfunction; and surgery is the most common cause of ED in men with prostate cancer. When a prostate is killed the nerves can become damaged and result in ED, as does when tissue and blood veins are destroyed by radiation. In America prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men; 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and about 191,000 men will be diagnosed this year.

Liver disease can lead to erectile dysfunction, and the more complicated the disorder the more serious the odds of developing ED are. Alcohol abuse is also a common cause of liver disorder in America. ED may be more prevalent in those with early stage hepatitis C induced liver cirrhosis than those with a chronic hepatitis B infection. Impaired/damaged liver function can result in ED and/or hypogonadism. Those with liver disorder have raised SHBG levels and less albumin which will decrease free testosterone levels that will lower sex drive and make it challenging to achieve an erection. 

75% of men experiencing erectile dysfunction will not seek treatment or medical advice for their condition. Research has shown that ED can be treated/reversed with healthy lifestyle changes to diet and exercise choices. While there are many drugs such as Viagra, Suhagra, Aurogra, Fildena, and Cialis these options only temporarily manage the symptoms and do not cure the condition/cause or prevent it from worsening. 

The annual expenditure on ED in America was estimated to be $330 million in 2000 and $185 million in 1994. It appears as if this is a growing concern, and it could be due to a variety of reasons such as the aging population and the steady increase in the rate of obesity and related conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. According to recent research men with ED have an increased risk of all cause mortality as well as CVD mortality. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction it is recommended to seek advice from your physician or certified medical professional.