ED and coronary artery disease: Surprising bedfellows
ED and coronary artery disease: Surprising bedfellows
Men who develop erectile dysfunction (ED) often feel embarrassed, ashamed, and frustrated. The availability of good treatment and society's new openness have removed some of the stigma, but for many men, ED is still a heartbreaking affair. But if men — and their doctors — don't recognize ED as an important medical problem, the consequences may include a truly broken heart. That's because a man's ability to have an erection is often a barometer of his cardiovascular health.
Studies of men with ED
Not long ago, patients and their doctors called the problem "impotence" and viewed it as a psychological disorder. Now we know that only 15% of cases are caused by mental factors. Many now think of ED as a urological or endocrinological problem. It may be — but often it's much more. Even in men who have never had a twinge of chest pain, ED can mean a heart attack is in the wings.
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