Erectile Dysfunction
Men with erectile dysfunction (ED) must also be wary of its link to atherosclerosis (blocked arteries) and, eventually, heart attack. In ED, the pelvis receives less oxygenated blood as the body prioritizes the heart and brain. Although medication is often effective in treating erectile dysfunction, it cannot remedy the condition’s underlying causes, such as poor blood flow or clogged arteries.
More than 75% of men with heart failure reported having erectile dysfunction. In addition, clogged arteries cause ED in roughly 40% of men over 50. According to the American Heart Association, ED may lead to a heart attack or stroke may follow.
Angina, heart attack, stroke, claudication (leg discomfort while walking), and erectile dysfunction (ED) are all caused by atherosclerosis. Depending on the individual, atherosclerosis may strike anywhere on the body, although it most often begins in the penis, moves on to the heart and brain, and finally makes its way to the legs. For example, ED is a warning indicator that a heart attack or stroke may occur within the next 3 to 5 years because endothelial dysfunction, the initial stage of atherosclerosis, often affects the penis first.
