Erectile dysfunction may predict coronary artery disease: relationship between coronary artery calcium scoring and erectile dysfunction severity.
November 11th, 2007 | by David Reiner, M.D. |
This study looked at the relationship of the prevalence of coronary artery disease(blockages of the heart arteries) in men with and without erectile dysfunction. The method by which coronary artery disease was assessed was by looking at the amount of calcium deposits seen within the coronary arteries on CAT scans of the heart. There is a very strong correlation between the amount of calcium deposits seen on CAT scanning of the heart and the amount of underlying disease present in these arteries.
With increasing amounts of erectile dysfunction found by surveying of 65 males(age range 41-77), there were increasing amounts of calcium deposits seen on CAT scans. Additionally, in a comparable group of men(age ranges 39-76) without any erectile dysfunction, they had significantly lowering calcium scores.
This study suggests that men with erectile dysfunction likely have a higher incidence of coronary artery disease then men without erectile dysfunction. This also suggests that these men with erectile dysfunction should be considered for screening for heart disease.
Reference: Int Urol Nephrol. 2007 Nov 2