Erectile Dysfunction Signals Higher Death and Cardiovascular Risk

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality and the composite of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure in men with cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to the results of a worldwide study of 1,519 men with ED and CVD.

Compared with men who had CVD only, men with both CVD and ED were twice as likely to die from all causes and 1.6 times more likely to suffer the composite of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, and heart-failure hospitalization.

Specifically, men with the dual diagnoses were twice as likely to die from CVD or to have a heart attack. They also were 20% more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure and 10% more likely to have a stroke.

The findings, published in Circulation (2010;121:1439-1446), also revealed that ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or a combination of the two had no influence over the development or course of ED, but could reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, according to researchers.

From the May 01, 2010 Issue of Renal and Urology News