It really isn’t all about sex.
___
When most men go to the doctor about erectile dysfunction (E.D.), chances are their heart health is not the first thing on their minds! This medical condition can be embarrassing for men to talk about, even to their partners or healthcare providers, and can lead to low-self esteem, anxiety or issues with relationships. One risk of E.D. that men often do not take into consideration, however, is that E.D. can be an early sign of cardiac disease, the number one killer of American men.
Back to Basics
- Men often don’t consider the mechanics of an erection, but it is actually a pretty complicated process and in order to be successful, three things must be in place:
- The nerves which send signals to the penis must be functional
- The brain must be able to send signals of arousal to those nerves
- Blood flow to the penis must be adequate
It is this last “prerequisite” that underscores the relationship between this sexual dysfunction and possible cardiac issues.
What’s the Heart Got to Do with It?
The fact is that there are two, interrelated problems that can cause men to have both E.D. and heart disease. The first is endothelial dysfunction and the second is atherosclerosis.
It is likely that most men have never heard of endothelial dysfunction, but it can be a serious issue, particularly with age. This problem is considered to be the earliest stage of atherosclerosis and affects the delicate inner lining of the blood vessels (called the endothelium) and the smooth muscles around the blood vessels which control how wide or narrow they become. When these parts of the vessels no longer function well, this can affect the blood flow to all parts of the body, including the penis — and the heart. The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that if a man is suffering from E.D. due to a problem with endothelial dysfunction, this can be an indication that a heart attack will happen within 3-5 years if the problem is not corrected.
If endothelial dysfunction is not corrected, it can lead to atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty substances on the inside of blood vessels throughout the body. Eventually, this buildup can restrict or even cut off blood flow altogether. The Cleveland Clinic notes that atherosclerosis is responsible for around three-quarters of all physical reasons for erectile dysfunction and represents 50-60% of all cases of E.D. in men over 60. In short, this is a problem which many men will have to deal with as they age.
Be Aware of Other Causes
This article is not meant to be scary, and it is important that men realize that erectile dysfunction does not always mean that there is an underlying heart problem. There are, in fact, a variety of other medical problems that can cause E.D. These can include:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Diseases like diabetes which can damage the nerves in the genital area
- Some medications (including antidepressants and some blood pressure medications),
- Emotional problems like depression
- Lifestyle choices like substance abuse
However, the Mayo Clinic notes that, to be on the safe side, if a man is having E.D. with no obvious cause, he should be screened for heart disease to rule out this possibility.
What Men Should Do to Stay Healthy and Safe
Men might be pretty worried about at this point — erectile dysfunction itself is difficult to deal with, but having to think about possible heart problems can seem to make it worse. The good news? There are a lot of actions men can take to not only help their E.D. but also help their heart:
If you are having problems with achieving or maintaining an erection, talk to your doctor about this problem, even if it is embarrassing. Reporting is the first step in coming up with a game plan to deal with this issue.
The Mayo Clinic also notes that, if heart disease is the underlying cause of E.D., men can improve this condition through good lifestyle choices, including a healthy, low-sodium diet, weight loss if needed, regular exercise and stress management.
Medical management of both E.D. and heart disease should be discussed, particularly because some blood pressure medications are not compatible with some cardiac drugs (particularly medications like nitrates which treat angina attacks) and this needs to be handled carefully in order to avoid a medical emergency.
In short, E.D. really isn’t just about sex (although this is an important issue, too): it can also be a sign that something is seriously wrong with the heart. In either or both cases, however, it is important for men to discuss these problems with their doctor in order to discover the underlying causes of E.D. and to begin a treatment plan which can address not only sexual health but heart health as well.
____
The role of men is changing in the 21st century. Want to keep up? Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
Photo credit: Getty Images