Via practica 7-8/2005

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AS A FIRST SIGN OF A VASCULAR DISEASE

Erectile dysfunction is a highly prevalent and progressive condition affecting the quality of life of man and his sexual partner. Evidence is accumulating in favour of erectile dysfunction as a vascular disorder in the majority of patients. Erectile dysfunction may be considered as the clinical manifestation of a vascular disease affecting penile circulation as well as angina pectoris is the typical manifestation of a vascular disorder affecting coronary circulation. Recent studies confirm the assumption that erectile dysfunction symptoms were found to come prior to coronary artery disease (CAD) symptoms in 58–94 % of CAD patients with mean interval of 25–39 months. Physicians should systematically look for erectile dysfunction in any male with vascular risk factors.

Keywords: erectile dysfunction, vascular disorder, coronary artery disease, risk factors.