In a nutshell
This study evaluated the effect of lowering heart disease risk on erectile function.
Some background
Erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel diseases) share many risk factors. Common risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol levels. Heart disease is also a known cause of erectile dysfunction among many men. Treating heart disease among such men is known to improve erectile function.
Whether simply lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease can improve erectile dysfunction has not yet been thoroughly investigated.
Methods & findings
The study analyzed 6 different trials including a total of 740 men with erectile dysfunction.
The trials investigated different methods of reducing cardiovascular risk and their effect on erectile function. Methods included: lifestyle interventions, exercise programs, specific diets, and medications to lower blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
Overall, men randomized to any intervention (lifestyle or medication) reported significantly greater improvements in sexual function compared to those in the control groups (men not receiving any treatment). Sexual function was improved to a similar extent in trials investigating lifestyle modifications and in those investigating drug treatment. Improved sexual function was also noted among men who do not normally respond to PDE-5 inhibitors (a group of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, including Viagra).
The bottom line
This study concluded that reducing cardiovascular risk factors through lifestyle changes or medical therapy can significantly improve erectile dysfunction.
What’s next?
Ask your physician about ways to lower cardiovascular risk suited for you.
Published By :
Archives of Internal medicine
Date :
Nov 14, 2011
