Impotence Predicts Heart Disease
posted 12/22/05

A new JAMA study adds more evidence that erectile dysfunction is a sign of artery disease. As part of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 4247 men, aged 55 years and older, were evaluated over a five-year period. Those with erectile dysfunction at the beginning of the study or who developed it during the study had a 45 percent increased risk of a subsequent cardiovascular event, compared to other men.

Prior studies have shown that impotence is often a sign of blocked arteries. Nearly 20 years ago, researchers reported that older men with reduced genital blood flow had a substantially higher risk of heart attack or stroke, compared with other men.

Thompson IM, Tangen CM, Goodman PH, Probstfield JL, Moinpour CM, Coltman, CA. Erectile dysfunction and subsequent cardiovascular disease. JAMA. 2005;294:2996-3002.

Morley JE, Korenman SG, Kaiser FE, Mooradian AD, Viosca SP. Relationship of penile brachial pressure index to myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents in older men. Am J Med. 1988;84:445-448.

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