E.D. in Diabetics Increases Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Almost 80 percent of the men suffering from diabetes realize that erectile dysfunction can be a disturbing side effect to this illness.

In Hong Kong and Italy, researchers have found that erectile dysfunction (ED) can develop up to three years prior to a vascular episode in diabetics.  Diseases that they are susceptible to are chest pain, heart attack, stroke or even death. 

The results of both studies will appear in the latest issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Hong Kong Study Details
2,306 men who were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes and who had no history of vascular disease or stroke participated in a recent Hong Kong study.  This study was run by Dr. Peter C.Y. Tong, an associate professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  The patients were followed for four years. 

Results of Hong Kong Study
Those who had erectile dysfunction at the beginning, which was about one fourth, were 58 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or other major cardiac problems than those men who were sexually healthy.

Italy Study Details
Dr. Carmine Gazzaruso, a specialist at the Beato Matteo Hospital Group in Vigevano, Italy led a similar study.  Gazzaruso’s study involved 291 men that had type-2 diabetes, along with a history of silent coronary artery disease. 

Italy Study Results
A total of 118 men suffered from ED at the beginning of the study.  This study was conducted over a seven year period.  Twenty-five percent of the men that suffered ED experienced serious cardiac disease.  This is compared to the 11 percent of the 173 men who did not have ED.

How are erectile dysfunction and heart disease/stroke similar?

These conditions have similar features.  Both develop when the blood flow is restricted or slowed down by clots, fatty plaque build-up, or damage caused to vessels by high levels of blood sugar, which is also common in diabetes patients.

Can medications help?

According to the researchers that conducted the Italian study, cholesterol-reducing statins actually lowered the incidence of cardiac problems by a third. 

Not only that, Viagara actually played a part in helping to lower the risk.  Although there was a lowered risk in cardiovascular disease, the reduction could still just be a coincidence.  More studies need to be conducted to determine if ED drugs actually have an affect on cardiovascular disease for diabetic patients with ED. 

Whether you have diabetes or not, if you or someone you love shows signs of ED a trip to the doctor is critical.  It is embarrassing to most men, but it is not worth the serious health problems that could arise if not addressed, including death.