Erectile dysfunction is a warning of impending heart attack

Posted on 2008-10-23 08:25:45 in Cardio-Vascular | Men's Health | Sexual-Reproductive |
Too many doctors are ignoring the link between erectile dysfunction and heart disease, says a British doctor.

Too many doctors are ignoring the link between erectile dysfunction and heart disease, says a British doctor.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr Geoffrey Hackett, a consultant in urology at the Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham, says that he has had many patients with erectile dysfunction referred to him after they have had a heart attack, only to find out that they developed erectile dysfunction two to three years prior to their heart attack, and that the problem was ignored by their doctor.

Research has shown that erectile dysfunction doubles the risk of heart disease. In fact, in men with type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction has been shown to be a better predictor of heart disease than high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Dr Hackett says that many doctors are still ignoring these facts and are treating erectile dysfunction as a “recreational” or "lifestyle issue" as opposed to an indication of a serious health problem.

Dr Hackett concludes: "Continuing to ignore these issues on the basis that cardiologists feel uncomfortable mentioning the word 'erection' to their patients or that they may have to deal with the management of a positive response, is no longer acceptable and possibly, based on current evidence, clinically negligent.”.

Hackett G. Erectile dysfunction predicts cardiovascular risk in men (letter). BMJ 2008;337:a2166

 


Health Headlines

In a lab animal model, booming gut flora spawned by the Western diet is linked to obesity.
International study reaffirms importance of resolving the income gap between the richest and poorest people in developed countries.
Switzerland-based research team assesses the metabolic effects of dark chocolate consumption on energy, gut microbiota, and stress hormones.
UCLA researchers find disability rates in Americans entering their 60s are on the rise, potentially fueled by the overweight/obesity epidemic.
Genetic clues to longevity discovered among a homogenous ethnic population.
Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (USA) researchers find that a loss of muscle strength raises risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and mild cognitive impairment.
Stroke risk may rise in those with common infectious pathogens such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and herpes simplex viruses.
First study in humans links bisphenol A (BPA) exposure to male sexual function problems.
Simple steps in the community can promote walking among residents.
Study finds that people who are dissatisfied with their workplace bosses not only take more sick leave, but are at increased risk of suffering a heart attack.
Looking for an Anti-aging Doctor?

upcoming Events

U.S. Events
congresses
Las Vegas
fellowships
fellowships
symposium
workshops
  • Advanced Hormone Symposium
    Chicago, IL | Oct. 8-10, 2010

VIDEO: Brain Age Workshop
Dr. Eric Braverman, Director of The Place for Achieving Total Health (PATH Medical), Chairs the Brain Age Workshop taking place Dec. 9, 2009. Held in conjunction with the Winter Session of the 17th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine & Regenerative Biomedical Technologies. The Brain Age Workshop features presentations on Brain Mind Assessment via Neuropsychological Analysis, Movement Deficiency Syndrome, Hormones and the Brain, Nootropic Drug Mechanisms, and Traumatic Brain Injury. View this video to learn about Dr. Braverman’s brain-based model of aging and age modulation.

International Events
See all events »