Erectile Disfunction > Possible Heart Disease

[Buff-horns]

Erectile problems may be early warning of cardiovascular disease

Michael Carter, Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Men with erectile problems may have more serious and unrecognised cardiovascular health issues, according to researchers writing in the October 18th edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of more advanced cardiovascular disease, but researchers have now found that men with problems attaining an erection had subclinical symptoms indicating an increased risk of future heart disease.

Anti-HIV treatment can cause an increase in blood fats and sugars which can increase the risk of heart disease and studies have found that large numbers of men taking anti-HIV therapy have erectile problems.

Italian investigators studied 70 men with erectile dysfunction and 73 men who were able to obtain an erection. Both groups of patients were of a similar age and race and had comparable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. None of the men had any symptoms suggesting that they had hardening of the arteries.

Blood tests revealed that the men with erectile dysfunction had higher levels of C-reactive protein, a risk factor for heart disease. Blood flow through the arteries, another early warning of potential cardiovascular problems was also abnormal in the men with erectile problems. In addition, CT scans showed that over a third of men with erectile difficulties had evidence of hardening of the arteries.

The investigators suggest that erectile dysfunction should make doctors think about the possibility of cardiovascular disease, even if a man has no traditional risk factors or other symptoms.

Limitations of the study include the small sample size.

There have been a number of studies looking at sexual dysfunction in HIV-positive men taking antiretroviral therapy. These have shown that between a third and 70% of HIV-positive men have experienced erectile difficulties or anther sexual problem. Treatment with a protease inhibitor has been associated with erectile problems, as have other classes of anti-HIV drug, and factors such as anxiety and depression. There is evidence that some anti-HIV drugs can increase some of the risk factors for heart disease, and that protease inhibitor treatment is associated with changes in the arteries that include calcification and increased plaque formation.

Chiurlia E et al. Subclinical coronary artery atherosclerosis in patients with erectile dysfunction. J American College of Cardiology 46: 1503 – 1506, 2005.

[billd766]

And there was me thinking as I get older my dick don't work as well as it did when I was young.

On the other hand (if you will pardon the expression) it works now and again which is good enough.

Sorry about that but I needed both hands to spell with.

Edited October 15, 2005 by billd766

[John K]

A good point! I have found that men that truly have the need for Viagra and other such medications to be smokers, and your post supports that. This is based on my observation of working with men for ED. The ones that did not smoke often had 90%+ improvement after therapy. Very few non smokers had less than 60% improvement. The men that should the least improvement tended to be smokers with only 10% to 40% improvement. As smoking is a major player in CVD, this all supports the same. This finding is based on roughly 300 men I have worked with. Just another good reason to give up smoking. However nicotine will make you want to give up sex before giving up smoking.

[richard10365]

A good point! I have found that men that truly have the need for Viagra and other such medications to be smokers, and your post supports that. This is based on my observation of working with men for ED. The ones that did not smoke often had 90%+ improvement after therapy. Very few non smokers had less than 60% improvement. The men that should the least improvement tended to be smokers with only 10% to 40% improvement. As smoking is a major player in CVD, this all supports the same. This finding is based on roughly 300 men I have worked with. Just another good reason to give up smoking. However nicotine will make you want to give up sex before giving up smoking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You didn't mention it in your post but I really hope your a doctor. I don't know anyone who works with men with "Erectile Disfunction". I can't imagine how you would do that?

[Nickerelastic]

Have a good look at your fingertip/nails.

Then google for more info

Edited October 29, 2005 by Nickerelastic

[John K]

I am qualified, check my profile if you have any questions.

[RDN]

...Sorry about that but I needed both hands to spell with.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problems Bill, you spelt it correctly - w, i, t and h.

[billd766]

A good point! I have found that men that truly have the need for Viagra and other such medications to be smokers, and your post supports that. This is based on my observation of working with men for ED. The ones that did not smoke often had 90%+ improvement after therapy. Very few non smokers had less than 60% improvement. The men that should the least improvement tended to be smokers with only 10% to 40% improvement. As smoking is a major player in CVD, this all supports the same. This finding is based on roughly 300 men I have worked with. Just another good reason to give up smoking. However nicotine will make you want to give up sex before giving up smoking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I acually gave up smoking 35 years ago.

Been married twice, one child from each marriage. I still think that sex is over rated.

RDN Posted Today, 2005-10-29 22:39:02

QUOTE(billd766 @ 2005-10-15 16:10:55)

...Sorry about that but I needed both hands to spell with.

*

No problems Bill, you spelt it correctly - w, i, t and h. blink.gif

I do have an extremely active and agile probocis as well.