The Warning Sign You Shouldn’t Ignore: How Vascular ED Could Be Signaling Heart Trouble

Vascular erectile dysfunction (vascular ED) is when the vessels supplying the penis with blood don't work properly, which prevents a man from achieving or maintaining an erection. Not only is vascular ED a hit to a man's confidence, but it could also signal heart disease.

If you're suffering from ED and are concerned for your health, Dr. Hesham Fakhri and our Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute team have options. Dr. Fakhri is an experienced heart and vascular care specialist offering venous embolization, stenting, and angioplasty for ED.

What is vascular ED?

Vascular ED affects men and their ability to achieve or maintain an erection. It's an issue with the blood vessels that supply the penis and allow a man to achieve an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. The veins or arteries that don't work properly.

Two forms of vascular ED are venogenic and arteriogenic.

Venogenic ED happens when blood in the penis during an erection drains too quickly, preventing sexual activity when the erection fails. Arteriogenic ED occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the penis are too narrow or become blocked.

Risk factors for vascular ED

There are different forms of ED, but vascular ED has specific risk factors that also increase the risk for heart problems. If you have any of the following, you're at risk for ED and heart issues:

Atherosclerosis
Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Heart disease

Men who smoke or who are obese are also at an increased risk for vascular ED. Some of these risk factors are changeable, while others are genetic or related to family health history.

Vascular ED and heart problems

Not everyone with vascular ED will have heart issues, but some men are at an increased risk for heart problems later on. The reason for heart risk lies in the issue with the blood vessels.

The link between both issues is endothelial dysfunction. It means that the inner portion of the arteries is narrowed or not functioning correctly, limiting blood flow to the heart and penis.

Another reason men don't know about the risk of heart problems is the size of the arteries. The arteries in the penis are smaller than those in the heart, making ED the first sign of vascular problems. Without treatment, the condition worsens and can lead to heart disease.

ED symptoms often occur many years before signs of heart trouble. It's essential to get treatment early to avoid symptoms like chest pain or issues like a heart attack or stroke.

Managing vascular ED

Managing vascular ED is essential for your heart health in the long term. Make an appointment with us right away to discuss treatment options.

Lifestyle changes are a good way to manage heart health and ED. Get regular exercise, eat a heart-healthy diet, and quit smoking. And it's crucial to maintain a healthy weight.

We also provide medications to manage chronic health issues like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Managing these conditions improves heart health and ED symptoms.

If other management techniques don't work, we also provide surgical interventions to restore blood flow to the penis and heart. These procedures are highly successful for managing ED and preventing heart damage.

Call us today or reach out online to arrange a consultation at our Tampa, Wesley Chapel, or Sun City Center, Florida, locations. We're here to help you understand vascular ED and the treatments available to you.