ERECTILE dysfunction is a common insecurity among men - one in five suffer from impotence over the age of 40. In addition to the psychological effect it can take, erectile dysfunction can also signal two life-threatening conditions.
By ADAM CHAPMAN
Erection problems (impotence) are very common yet many men do not come forward and get themselves checked out. This owes to a range of factors, one of the most common being stigma. However, if you're frequently experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is vital that you take notice.
That's because it may be an early warning sign of both heart disease and diabetes - two potentially life-threatening conditions.
Online pharmacy Chemist Click points out that erectile dysfunction can be a sign of conditions that affect both blood flow and the nervous system.
Heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes can all impact blood flow to the penis, which in turn causes erectile dysfunction.
Given its importance, Superintendent pharmacist Abbas Kanani said: “It is vitally important to keep an eye on the frequency of ED [erectile dysfunction] because this could help prevent serious cardiovascular problems.”
Erectile dysfunction: Common problem can signal heart disease or diabetes (Image: Getty Images)
In fact, the odds underscore the importance of staying vigilant.
Findings by the British Association of Urological Surgeons show that 90 percent of men with impotence have at least one underlying physical cause for their problem - 40 percent cardiovascular disease and 33 percent diabetes.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year according to the World Health Organisation.
Erectile dysfunction can also indicate neurological conditions such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis which affect the transfer of nerve impulses from the brain to the penis are disrupted.
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