Can heart disease cause erectile dysfunction?
Yes, heart disease can cause erectile dysfunction, primarily through damage to blood vessel function. Both conditions share underlying mechanisms involving impaired blood flow and endothelial dysfunction, damage to the inner lining of blood vessels that reduces the ability to deliver sufficient blood to the penis. However, erectile dysfunction more commonly appears as an early warning sign of developing heart disease rather than as a direct consequence of established heart disease.
Key points:
- Endothelial dysfunction, which damages blood vessel linings, is the primary link between heart disease and erectile dysfunction.
- Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) reduces blood flow throughout the body, including to the penis, making erections difficult to achieve or maintain.
- Both conditions are caused by the same risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and obesity.
- Erectile dysfunction can appear two to four years before a major heart attack or cardiovascular event, making it potentially useful as an early indicator of heart problems.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.