Does Impotence Double The Risk Of Heart Attack?

Does impotence double the risk of heart attack? Only if you already have cardiovascular disease. If you have heart disease and erectile dysfunction, German researchers recently found that you are 1.9 times more likely to die from heart disease, twice as likely to have a heart attack, 1.2 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure, and 1.1 times more likely to have a stroke. The research was published in the medical journal "Circulation" in March 2010. Though you might be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about impotence, it's critical that you do so if you have erectile dysfunction. This is especially important if you also have cardiovascular disease, since the combined conditions double your heart attack risk. In addition, impotence increases your risk for high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and the need for lower urinary tract surgery.

Your doctor can treat both your impotence and your heart disease, as well as give you advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle and decrease your risk for these conditions. Both impotence and heart disease can be caused or worsened by stress, alcohol and tobacco use, being overweight, an unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise. Leading a healthy lifestyle can help treat your erectile dysfunction, thus lowering your risk for a heart attack. It's important to remember that anything that is bad for your heart is also bad for your sexual health, since sexual arousal is caused by increased flow of blood to the genitals. Problems with this blood flow caused by heart disease can lead to impotence.