Erectile Dysfunction a Precursor for Heart Disease

Erectile dysfunction may be a predictor for heart disease or a cardiac event, according to a study published online in Circulation. Researchers followed 1,757 participants and compared self-reported erectile dysfunction to cardiovascular disease incidence rates. Those with erectile dysfunction had an increased risk for myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, or death from a cardiac event. The participants were more likely to have diabetes and a family history of heart disease and to use medications for depression, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The authors suggest clinical guidelines recognize erectile dysfunction as a risk factor to improve preventive measures.