If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction, really, the last thing you should do is attempt to cover it up with a drug. Even slight problems maintaining an erection can be a sign of serious health problems elsewhere in your body, namely in your heart. You may be aware that the inability of the inner lining of your arteries (endothelium) to dilate fully leads to damage and to subsequent hardening, also known as atherosclerosis, and is a major cause of heart disease and can lead to stroke, heart attack, and sudden death.
As the disease process unfolds the smaller arteries in your body, such as those in your penis, often get blocked first or receive less of the available blood flow, before the larger arteries leading to your heart. The lack of blood flow to your penis results in erectile dysfunction, and this is why ED has been called the “canary in the trousers” for future heart problems.
Men with ED have an increased risk of many heart-related problems, including heart failure, stroke, and heart disease.12 So if you have any type of erection difficulty, it’s a good idea to see a qualified health care practitioner who can give your heart health a thorough check-up and help you develop a plan to fix the underlying causes of both issues.
