{"id":3128,"date":"2025-03-23T01:19:55","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T14:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/au\/?p=3479"},"modified":"2025-04-07T03:23:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-06T15:23:05","slug":"cardiovascular-diseases-the-top-culprit-of-erectile-dysfunction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/resource\/cardiovascular-diseases-the-top-culprit-of-erectile-dysfunction\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardiovascular Diseases: The Top Culprit of Erectile Dysfunction\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality<\/a> worldwide. In fact, one of the diseases under it, coronary artery disease, accounts for most deaths in 2021. The reason for the lethal rate is not because it\u2019s hard to treat. Rather, cardiovascular diseases tend to be silent until they have progressed enough. Unlike women, however, men get an easy warning sign: erectile dysfunction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Vascular Erectile Dysfunction? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vascular Erectile Dysfunction<\/a> is erectile dysfunction caused by any issues in the blood vessels. It\u2019s the most common type of erectile dysfunction<\/a>, which is why men should check for cardiovascular diseases when they start struggling to get hard. Research<\/a> has shown that erectile dysfunction can begin 3\u20135 years before a heart attack. However, men tend to downplay erectile dysfunction and self-medicate with over-the-counter drugs like PDE-5 inhibitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circulation and Erection <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardiovascular<\/a> and erectile health are deeply interconnected. Erection occurs due to increased circulation in the corpora cavernosa, the part of the penis containing blood vessels. Simply put, men get hard because the penis swells due to all the extra blood. If you don\u2019t get enough blood flow because there\u2019s an issue in the circulatory system, you either get weak erections or will remain flaccid. Other conditions can cause erectile dysfunction, like diabetes<\/a> and kidney disease<\/a>, but they\u2019re usually co-occurring with cardiovascular diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardiovascular Diseases and Erectile Dysfunction <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different kinds of cardiovascular diseases. Most of them can directly cause erectile dysfunction. Here are some common cardiovascular diseases you should watch out for if you have erectile dysfunction: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.Hypertension <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also called high blood pressure<\/a>, hypertension happens when your blood pressure is 130\/80 mmHg or higher. It can be caused by consuming too much sodium, having excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, and cigarettes\/alcohol. Hypertension is usually asymptomatic until it becomes severe or has lasted long enough. Erectile dysfunction is one of the first signs of hypertension in men. One study<\/a> found that 58.3% of men with hypertension have erectile dysfunction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.Atherosclerosis <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atherosclerosis<\/a> occurs when cholesterol plaque builds up in the blood vessels or becomes a blockage. Like hypertension, it\u2019s usually asymptomatic until it has worsened enough to start triggering other cardiovascular conditions like a heart attack or stroke. Your risk for hypertension increases<\/a> if you have atherosclerosis because the heart usually needs to pump more blood due to the reduced blood flow caused by the blockage. This can lead to hardening of blood vessels, which reduces circulation further especially in the penis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.CAD <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), also called Ischaemic Heart Disease<\/a>, is the top cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). This condition results from inhibited blood flow due to cholesterol blockage in the heart\u2019s arteries. Arteries<\/a> carry blood away from the heart, so CAD\u2019s first symptom for men is usually erectile dysfunction. Since the blood vessels in the penis are minuscule, they\u2019re usually the first to suffer consequences from any disruption in blood flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.PAD <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peripheral Artery Disease<\/a> (PAD) is atherosclerosis that typically occurs in your limbs. Your penis is in your lower extremity, which is why any cholesterol build-up leading to or within the area can trigger erectile dysfunction. Apart from decreased blood flow, blood vessels can harden because of constant vasoconstriction (narrowing of arteries) to increase blood pressure. Over time, this can worsen erectile dysfunction. A study<\/a> found that there\u2019s a 77.2% prevalence of erectile dysfunction among PAD patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.Atrial Fibrillation <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atrial fibrillation<\/a> is a type of arrhythmia, a condition in which there is irregularity in one\u2019s heartbeat. This occurs in the atria, or the upper chambers of your heart, hence the name. Due to problems in the electrical system of the heart, it\u2019s unable to pump blood properly. Symptoms include palpitations (erratic heartbeat), angina (chest pain), dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Research studies<\/a> found a strong connection between atrial fibrillation and erectile dysfunction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.Stroke <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stroke<\/a> happens when atherosclerosis impedes blood supply to the brain. It can either be due to the cholesterol plaque itself or a blood vessel bursting. Just like a heart attack, erectile dysfunction can be a precursor to stroke. Similarly, your risk for erectile dysfunction increases post-stroke. A study<\/a> found that up to 74% of men who have experienced stroke developed erectile dysfunction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When assessing for stroke, remember BE FAST: <\/p>\n\n\n\n