Under-the-radar heart risks

Most men are familiar with the common medical issues that can lead to heart disease, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.

However, research has shown that other health issues that share many of the same risk factors for heart disease are also linked to an increased chance for heart attacks and strokes. These include gum disease, erectile dysfunction, peripheral artery disease, and urinary tract infections.

"Men may not think of these problems as a threat to their heart health, but they can be potential red flags," says Dr. Michael Gavin, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Here's a look at these conditions and their connections to heart disease.

Gum disease

People with gum disease (periodontitis) are two to three times more likely to have heart disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. "Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition, and chronic inflammation is a key contributor to many health problems, especially heart disease," says Dr. Gavin. Besides practicing good dental hygiene — brushing at least twice daily for two minutes each time and flossing daily — you should have a dental exam every six months to check for gum disease and protect against tooth loss.

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

If you're dealing with ED, there's a good chance you have a higher risk for heart disease. In fact, research has found that ED can occur as early as five years before a major heart attack or stroke.

"Both ED and heart disease share many of the same risk factors, such as older age, smoking, obesity, and diabetes," says Dr. Gavin. ED also is often an early sign of vascular problems caused by the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in arteries, which can impair blood flow to the heart as well as the penis.

See your doctor if you have issues with erectile function, says Dr. Gavin. "Being aware of ED helps physicians better address and manage any cardiovascular risk factors that could be contributing to ED."

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

PAD occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the leg muscles narrow, most often because of a buildup of fatty plaque. The diminished blood flow causes pain in one or both legs when you walk; the pain goes away when you slow down or stop.

"If you have blockages in your leg arteries, you probably also have blockages in the arteries leading to your heart and brain, which raises your risk for a heart attack or stroke," says Dr. Gavin. Unfortunately, PAD can't be cured. The goal is to control its progression by addressing its main risk factors, which in turn can help lower your heart disease risk.

This means adopting a heart-healthy diet, not smoking, and beginning a regular walking program. (If walking pain is severe, you might need angioplasty or surgery to restore blood flow through a clogged leg artery.) You may also need a daily low-dose aspirin to prevent blood clots and a statin drug to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Research has linked UTIs to an increased risk of heart attack and strokes. One study from the American Heart Association found that the risk was especially high two weeks to three months following the infection.

One theory links the increased risk of heart attack and stroke to the inflammation caused by UTIs. In response to a UTI, the body produces white cells to combat the infection, but that process also increases the amount and activation of platelets (cells that help form clots to stop bleeding). Higher amounts of activated platelets can potentially lead to unwanted clots in arteries that could block blood flow to the heart or brain.

In men, UTIs develop in the urethra (the tube that runs from the bladder to the opening at the tip of the penis), the bladder, the prostate, or the kidney.

The most common symptoms are frequent urination, a strong urge to go, burning or tingling during or just after urination, cloudy urine with a strong odor, blood in the urine, or trouble urinating. However, in some older men, the only symptom may be fever or confusion.

Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat a UTI. You can protect against recurring infections by drinking plenty of water, using the bathroom when you feel the urge to urinate rather than trying to hold it in, and practicing safe sex.

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