Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction? Examine your heart!

Photo by 123rf.com

What may be behind the erectile dysfunction?

Middle-aged men (aged 40-60) are affected by erectile dysfunction in 39-57 percent, and over the age of 60, the incidence is over 60 percent. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by hormonal changes, prostate problems, alcohol and drug use, certain medications (antidepressants), psychological causes (stress, anxiety), men’s menopause, spinal trauma, and cardiovascular disease. . “In most cases, an erectile dysfunction, an early cardiovascular complaint, can indicate that someone’s heart is malfunctioning years in advance,” he points out. Dr. Péter Vaskó, a Budai Cardio centercardiologist.

What is the relationship between heart function and erectile dysfunction?

The common background can be found in the fact that the poor general condition of the blood vessels disrupts not only the blood supply of the heart, but also the function of the penis. Among the cardiovascular diseases a hypertónia a condition that can cause erectile dysfunction in an insidious way. This is because the inner part of the vessel wall (endothelium) is damaged due to prolonged pressure and tension, the balance of vasodilation and vasoconstriction processes is disturbed, so it cannot perform its function (endothelial dysfunction). Patients with metabolic disease associated with circulatory disease or on its own (diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood fats) also often complain of erectile dysfunction as the first symptom of the disease.“Based on all this, in addition to erectile dysfunction, in order to avoid complications of cardiovascular diseases, it is worthwhile to consult a specialist when the symptoms appear.” – suggests Dr. Vaskó.

When to see a doctor?

It is perfectly normal for an erectile dysfunction to occasionally develop. However, if it persists for more than two months or occurs frequently, do not delay the medical examination! The specialist will help you find out what is behind the problem and then determine the appropriate treatment. Because the problem can be caused by multiple underlying diseases, treatment requires close collaboration between multiple medical disciplines. If the cause is a cardiovascular lesion, it is up to the urologist and cardiologist to determine the therapy. The joint work of the specialties is important because the treatment must also take into account the possible interactions of the drugs used, as drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction may interact with products prescribed for cardiovascular problems, worsen their effects and cause complications (e.g. some antihypertensives increase erectile dysfunction). In some cases, it may be forbidden to take medication for erectile dysfunction, for example, if someone has had a stroke, heart attack, or low blood pressure. In this case, it is especially important to consult a cardiologist.

Photo: 123rf.com

Don’t take any chances!

Untreated hypertension, coronary stenosis and arrhythmias can even lead to a life-threatening condition. Therefore, it is worth paying due attention to the investigation, because if this is not done in a timely manner, the affected man will not only have to give up his erection, but even risk developing a heart attack and other serious complications.