Erectile Dysfunction and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

“In the analysis by Dong et al including 12 prospective cohort studies involving 36 744 participants, it was suggested that ED independent of other risk factors significantly increased the risk of CVD, coronary artery disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality.”

“Our results reveal that erectile dysfunction is, in and of itself, a potent predictor of cardiovascular risk. Our findings suggest that clinicians should perform further targeted screening in men with erectile dysfunction, regardless of other cardiac risk factors and should consider managing any other risk factors -- such as high blood pressure or cholesterol -- that much more aggressively.”

“Health care providers should consider including ED as a component of assessing cardiovascular risk among middle-aged men. While there are effective treatments for ED, one must never overlook an opportunity to ask a simple question: 'Why?' In addition, men should be aware of the potential implications of ED and inform their provider.”