1998
From: American Urological Association
An Analysis Of Valculogenic Erectile Dysfunction As A Potential Predictor Of Occult Cardiac Disease According to these investigators, the majority of patients with organic erectile dysfunction have at least one major vascular risk factor. Such factors include diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cigarette smoking. This study was conducted to see if a significant association exists between vascular-related impotence and documented sub-clinical heart disease in which there is either reduced blood supply from narrowing or an artery obstruction (ischemic heart disease). A total of 25 patients with vascular-related impotence were evaluated by a cardiologist. In addition to taking a complete history, the heart specialist performed a comprehensive physical and prescribed a stress test. Of the 25 patients, 12 had a first degree relative with ischemic heart disease. Among the patients, vascular risk factors included 1 in 12 men (48%), 2 factors in 8 men (32%), 3 factors in 4 men (16%), and 4 factors in 1 man (4%). The majority of the group, 19 men (75%), had pure artery-related erectile dysfunction.Four out of 25 stress tests prescribed (16%) showed abnormalities worthy of further investigation. According to the researchers, their preliminary data demonstrates that patients with vascular-related impotence and a family history of ischemic heart disease could benefit from a formal evaluation by a cardiologist.
|