ARTERY PROBLEMS ARE CLOSELY RELATED WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
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Many researches show that erectile dysfunction is an early warning sign of coronary artery disease, the most common heart disease according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Blood is supplied to the heart muscle through coronary arteries; when these arteries are diseased, they become hard and narrow, due to which it gets difficult for the blood to pass through. As a result, the heart muscles do not get enough blood and hence they remain deprived of sufficient oxygen supply. Following are the serious effects of this condition:

• Chest pain
• Heart attack
• Irregular heart beats
• Heart failure

In a small study in Italy, the researchers said that men with erectile dysfunction show more symptoms of coronary artery diseases as compared to those without ED. This study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The warning signs of arterial diseases are;

• Higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is used as a marker of inflammation.
• Abnormal blood vessel response to changes in blood flow.
• Calcium deposits in heart arteries (coronary artery calcifications).

Why?

The connection between coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction is quite obvious. Erectile dysfunction is mainly associated with the blood flow to the penile section. Penile erection is attained by the increased blood flow to the penis and maintained by holding back the trapped blood. When the penis does not get sufficient blood flow, it cannot attain an erection in spite of continuous stimulation.

All the diseases that impair the overall blood flow of the system are responsible for erectile dysfunction. In the same way, coronary artery diseases impair blood flow to the different parts of the body, that is why it causes the lack of blood flow to the penis and as a result, men with this disease suffer from ED and vice versa.

Why A threat?

Researcher of the study, Emilio Chiurlia, PhD, who works for the Institute of Cardiology at Italy 's University of Modena and Reggio Emilia says that study of erectile function should be a part of the assement of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk. The patients with ED should be considered at high risk for coronary artery disease and should be given priority for their treatment.

The news release concludes with the statement that erectile dysfunction represents only a tip of the iceberg of a systemetic vascular disorder which may severely affect the cardiovascular events.

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