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Erectile Dysfunction-Heart Risk Link
Dec. 20, 2005 -- If an older guy experiences erectile dysfunction (ED), he's got an even bigger problem -- a twofold risk of heart disease.
Because heart disease and ED have a common cause -- damage to blood vessels -- it's been thought that erection problems may be an important symptom of heart disease and related disorders. They also share similar risk factors such as obesity, smoking, diabetes, inactivity, high blood pressure, and cholesterol abnormalities, write the authors.
This newest study shows "a strong association" between ED and heart disease -- and the most "substantial" link yet, writes Ian M. Thompson, MD, a urologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
His study appears in the latest issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Our data suggest that older men in this group have about a twofold greater risk of cardiovascular disease than men without erectile dysfunction," Thompson writes.
Since many men do not get regular checkups, any sign of erectile dysfunction should prompt them to make an appointment for a complete cardiovascular examination, he notes. "This would be especially useful [information] for men who do not have regular medical assessments."
A major cause of ED is damage to blood vessels which provide blood flow to the penis. Other causes include damage to nerves, medications, and psychological factors such as stress.
ED Linked With Several Heart-Related Disorders
His study involved 9,457 men who were evaluated for ED and heart disease over a seven-year period. All were aged 55 or older and participating in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial at 221 medical centers across the U.S.
At the study's beginning, 85% had no heart disease; almost half had erectile dysfunction. Among those without ED, 57% eventually developed it within five years.
After taking into account risk factors for heart disease, Thompson found that men who first reported erectile dysfunction during the study carried a 25% increased risk for developing subsequent heart disease during follow-up.
In men with ED at the study's start, the risk of developing subsequent heart disease risk was 45%.
The researchers say the risks associated with the development of heart disease in men -- with and without ED -- is in the range of traditional risk factors such as smoking and family history of heart disease.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
