Erectile Dysfunction May Increase Heart Attack Risk: Most people consider erectile dysfunction to be only a sexual health problem, but recent research tells a different story. Experts say that this problem can be an early sign of many serious diseases. The risk of diseases like heart attack, stroke, diabetes and even dementia may be associated with erectile dysfunction.

How dangerous is this problem?

Erectile dysfunction should be seen as “the canary in the coal mine”, says sexologist Emmanuelle Zanini of the University of Tor Vergata in Rome. This means that this could be an early sign of some major problem hidden in the body. Unfortunately, most men do not talk openly about this topic, due to which the opportunity of identifying the disease in time is missed.

Which people have this problem more?

According to the National Library of Medicine, this problem is quite common in men above 40 years of age. A large survey found that about 39 percent of men under the age of 40 experience some level of erectile dysfunction, while by the age of 70 this figure reaches 67 percent. Experts say that erection is directly related to blood flow. When arteries remain healthy, blood flow improves. But if the blood vessels start becoming narrow or hard, then its effect is first visible on the small arteries of the body. Since the arteries of the penis are very thin, erectile dysfunction sometimes becomes an early sign of heart disease.

Risk of heart disease and stroke

An analysis of data from nearly 1.5 lakh people found that men suffering from erectile dysfunction had a 59 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease, while the risk of stroke was seen to be 34 percent higher. Expert Michael Carroll of Manchester Metropolitan University, Britain, says that good erection can be considered a sign of good health of blood vessels.

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risk of diabetes

Its relation with diabetes is also considered very strong. According to Bogdan Vlacho, a researcher at the Barcelona-based Sant Pau Research Institute, men with type-2 diabetes are almost three times more likely to have erectile dysfunction than normal people. Meanwhile, Santiago Martínez, who is an endocrinologist at the University of Barcelona, ​​says that when diabetes and erectile dysfunction co-exist, the risk of problems like nerve damage, eye disease and difficulty in wound healing also increases.

How can we improve?

Experts believe that ignoring erectile dysfunction can be a big mistake. If this problem persists, it is important to consult a doctor. By getting tested on time, heart disease, high BP, diabetes and other serious diseases can be detected in the early stages. In many cases, it is possible to improve the condition through better eating habits, regular exercise and change in lifestyle.

Read this also- The illusion of walking 10 thousand steps every day is over, the heart will remain completely fit even by walking just 4000 steps.

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Can Erectile Dysfunction Be A Sign Of Heart Disease: With increasing age the body starts giving many types of signals. Men often ignore fatigue, poor sleep, snoring or sexual health problems as part of normal aging. But experts say that these problems are not just everyday problems, but sometimes they can also be an early warning of serious diseases related to heart and blood vessels.

Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiothoracic surgeon with 25 years of experience, recently explained in an Instagram video about four signs that men often take lightly. According to him, these symptoms can be a sign of future heart related problems.

Why should erectile dysfunction not be taken lightly?

One of the most important signs is erectile dysfunction. According to Dr. London, it could be a big mistake to consider it only a sexual health problem. In fact, the arteries associated with erection are among the thinnest blood vessels in the body. When there is blockage or reduction in blood flow, its effect can first be seen on sexual health. This is the reason why many times symptoms like erectile dysfunction, chest pain or heart attack indicate heart disease many years before they occur. Experts advise that if the problem of erectile dysfunction starts suddenly, then instead of just taking medicines, a heart check should also be done.

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Low testosterone is also a reason

Dr. London said the second important sign is low testosterone. Many men consider it to be a normal effect of increasing age, but according to them, there could be reasons behind it like increasing fat around the stomach, poor sleep and lack of physical activity. If these reasons are controlled in time, then improvement in hormonal health is possible. Therefore, before moving towards any medicine or supplement, it is important to make changes in lifestyle.

When should one start taking care of heart?

The third sign is early appearance of heart disease in men. Dr. London explains that women continue to get heart protection from estrogen hormone till menopause, whereas men do not have this protection. This is why men can develop heart disease about a decade earlier than women. Therefore, taking care of heart health should not be started at the age of 60, but from the age of 30 and 40.

Loud snoring is also a kind of signal

The fourth sign is sleep apnea. If a person snores loudly, has frequent sleep disturbances at night, or feels tired even after getting enough sleep, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. Dr. London warns that this condition can lead to high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances and additional pressure on the heart. The matter of concern is that a large number of men suffer from this problem, but they are not aware of it.

Read this also: Late Night Eating Heart Health Side Effects: Eating food after 9 pm can cause major harm to the heart.

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Is Breathlessness A Sign Of Heart Disease: If you are often worried whether there is a blockage in your arteries, then the good thing is that you can identify the early signs through some simple home checks. Even though the plaque accumulated in the arteries cannot be seen directly while sitting at home, the body gives some signals which can indicate danger.

regular check of blood pressure

The first and easiest way is to regularly check blood pressure. For this, upper arm automatic digital BP monitor is considered the most reliable. Sit quietly for at least five minutes before measuring BP. Keep your feet on the ground and support your back. After this, take two readings each in the morning and night. Do this continuously for a week and then average all the readings. If your blood pressure repeatedly becomes higher than normal, it may be a sign that the pressure on your arteries is increasing. Generally blood pressure around 120/80 mmHg is considered normal.

ankle brachial index

The second important test is ankle brachial index. According to health information website Mayoclinic, this test compares blood pressure in the legs and arms and especially helps in identifying the risk of peripheral artery disease. To do this, either two cuffs are required or measurements can be taken one by one with the same machine. If the ratio of ankle and arm pressure is less than 0.90, it may indicate narrowing of the arteries in the legs and increased risk of heart-related diseases. This method is considered reliable and helps in initial screening.

lipid profile test

The third important step is lipid profile test. Nowadays many labs provide the facility of sample collection from home. Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides are examined in this test. Especially high LDL cholesterol increases the risk of plaque accumulation in the arteries. Generally, a 12-hour fast is required before the test unless the doctor says otherwise. Reports are available online, which makes it easy to track.

Difficulty climbing stairs

Climb four floors of stairs at the same speed. If during this time you feel pressure in the chest, breathing becomes excessive, pain in the jaw or arm, or dizziness, then stop immediately. Also note how long the symptoms took and what caused them to increase. Such symptoms seen during exertion can indicate the danger of disease related to the arteries of the heart.

Also read- Blood Cancer: Constant fatigue and frequent fever are not normal, can be symptoms of this cancer.

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Calculate The Age Through Age Calculator