The Link Between ED and Heart Disease

The Link Between ED and Heart Disease

Erectile dysfunction (ED) precedes coronary artery disease (CAD) in almost 70% of cases.21 In fact, ED could be an indicator of silent CAD, heart disease you don’t know you have.


What’s good for your heart is good for your penis

Arteries Go Everywhere

The blood supply to your penis starts in your heart and flows through arteries in the belly to even smaller arteries that branch off to carry blood into the penis. With sexual stimulation, these blood vessels need to rapidly increase blood flow. If these blood vessels are blocked (atherosclerosis) by coronary artery disease, you may not be able to achieve or maintain an erection.21

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Which Comes First

ED and heart disease are considered two signs of the same disease process. The smaller arteries in the penis are affected by atherosclerosis sooner, perhaps three or more years before they cause heart disease symptoms.21
A large international study found that men with ED were more likely to die from heart causes; have a heart attack, stroke or be admitted to the hospital with heart failure than men with no or mild ED.22

Take Control

You may reduce your risk of ED by improving your heart health. Healthy lifestyle choices often encourage you to stop smoking, lose weight, and increase physical activity. If ED persists, oral medications are a common first therapy for ED. If oral medications don’t work for you, other treatment options include penile implants, vacuum devices and injections. Some treatments may be more effective than others for a man suffering with heart disease.

Did you know?

ED precedes coronary artery disease in almost 70% of cases.21

ED and Heart Disease

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by atherosclerosis, the clogging of the arteries seen in heart disease.

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Treatments Beyond Medications

While there are many ways to treat ED today, men with diabetes may require maximum doses of oral medications and may still find drugs ineffective.19 

Achieving a Satisfying Sex Life

Finding a satisfying solution to ED can be a life-changing event for many men and their partners. Talk to your GP or urologist about all your treatment options.

Treatment Options

Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.  All images are the property of Boston Scientific. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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