Erectile Dysfunction Predicts Heart Disease Risk in Men

Author: Wiley-Blackwell
Published: 2010/05/19 - Updated: 2026/01/19
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Findings
Category Topic: Erectile Dysfunction - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This peer-reviewed research presents findings from an international collaboration of cardiovascular and sexual medicine experts who analyzed over 100 studies examining the relationship between erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease. The scholarly paper demonstrates that men experiencing erectile dysfunction frequently develop coronary symptoms within two to three years and face cardiovascular events like heart attacks within three to five years, with younger men aged 40-69 showing particularly strong correlations. Published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, this medical evidence proves valuable for healthcare providers and patients because it establishes erectile dysfunction as a clinical warning sign that enables earlier detection and intervention for potentially life-threatening heart conditions, particularly benefiting older adults and those managing multiple health concerns who may otherwise miss subtle cardiac symptoms - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

International experts are calling for all men experiencing impotence to undergo thorough medical assessments, after an extensive review showed that a significant proportion of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) exhibit early signs of coronary artery disease (CAD).

A paper published in the June issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice, shows that men with ED will often develop coronary symptoms within two to three years of impotence and actually experience a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, within three to five years.

The authors stress that it is vital that clinicians stabilize cardiovascular function and control any symptoms before even considering initiating any ED therapy.

Main Content

Dr Graham Jackson, a London-based cardiologist and Chair of the Sexual Advice Association, teamed up with 11 experts from all over the UK, Italy, Greece and the USA to analyze the findings of more than a hundred studies on the links between ED and CAD.

They concluded that:

ED in otherwise healthy men and those with type 2 diabetes may be associated with early subclinical signs of CAD, including reduced blood flow and calcification of the arteries.
Men with ED generally exhibit more severe CAD and dysfunction in the left ventricle of the heart than those without ED and the severity of the ED may also be correlated with the severity of the CAD.
In around two-thirds of men, CAD is preceded by ED. The association in younger men aged between 40 and 69 is much clearer than in men over 70.
ED is associated with an increase in all-cause mortality, primarily through its associated with CAD.

A number of studies have sought to quantify the increased risk.

One study found that men aged between 30 and 39 with moderate to severe ED have a 14 percent higher risk of developing CAD within ten years than men without CAD (4.9 percent and 4.3 percent respectively). This figure rose to 27 percent in men aged 60 to 69 (21.1 percent and 16.6 percent respectively).

Other studies suggest that the increased risk can range from 30 to 60 percent, compared with a 40 percent increase for a man with a family history of heart attacks and a 10 percent increase for a 20mg/dl rise in serum cholesterol concentration.

The authors suggest that the link between the two conditions could be due to atherosclerosis, a systemic condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, leading to restricted blood flow.

"It has been suggested that because the arteries supplying the penis are smaller than those supplying the heart, they will be affected by reduced blood flow - a major cause of ED - before the symptoms of CAD develop" explains Dr Jackson. "This theory may underpin the findings that men with ED seldom report overt symptoms of CAD, but those with CAD often report pre-existing ED symptoms."

The paper goes on to discuss prevention strategies and how patients should be assessed, tested, managed and followed up. Special guidance is also provided on dealing with patients with diabetes.

"The evidence supporting the relationship between ED and cardiovascular disease has continued to increase over recent years and yet recognition of the association remains limited among healthcare professionals and the general public" concludes Dr Jackson. "Clinicians who specialize in managing ED support the evidence that ED is a critical predictor of cardiovascular disease and that men with ED therefore face an increased risk."

The authors, who have extensive experience of cardiovascular and sexual medicine, hope that the evidence and consensus detailed in their IJCP paper will encourage greater international interest and research on the association between ED and CAD.

"Recognizing the relationship between ED and CAD will improve and save lives" says Dr Jackson. "That is why wider awareness of the links is essential."

Erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease prediction: evidence-based guidance and consensus. Jackson et al. IJCP. 64.7, 848-857. (June 2010).

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: What makes these findings particularly significant is how they shift our understanding of erectile dysfunction from an isolated condition to a predictive health marker with serious implications. The research reveals that the smaller arteries supplying the penis act as early-warning sensors for systemic vascular problems, providing men with a window of opportunity - sometimes years before a heart attack - to address cardiovascular risk factors through lifestyle changes, medical treatment, and preventive care. Yet despite mounting evidence over the past decade, awareness remains surprisingly limited among both medical professionals and the general public, meaning countless men may be missing critical signals their bodies are sending about cardiovascular health. The call from these international experts is clear: treating erectile dysfunction requires more than addressing the symptom itself - it demands a thorough cardiovascular assessment that could genuinely save lives - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Wiley-Blackwell and published on 2010/05/19, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.