Coronary artery disease causes a gradual build-up of plaque in arteries that reduces blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body. This is called atherosclerosis. But until you start having noticeable symptoms, such as shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or pain in the chest, neck, jaw, back or upper belly, you may not know your heart is at risk.

“Coronary artery disease is a very common type of heart disease.This disease happens more often in men than women. It is one of the major causes of death among men,” says interventional cardiologist Muhammad Raza, MD.

Many people don’t know they have heart disease until they have a serious cardiac-related event, such as a heart attack or stroke. That’s because they don’t notice any warning signs ahead of time. But if you’re a man, there’s one surprising warning sign that may indicate you’re on your way to developing heart disease: erectile dysfunction.

How does a sexual problem have any connection to a heart problem?

There are more similarities between erectile dysfunction and heart disease than you may realize. These include:

• Plaque build-up in arteries. Erectile dysfunction—the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex—is often the result of damage to the arteries of the penis. Because the arteries of this organ are much smaller than the arteries of the heart, atherosclerosis is more likely to show up in these smaller arteries before it affects the larger arteries of the heart.
• Problem with blood vessel lining. Erectile dysfunction may also occur due to a problem with the inner lining of the blood vessels that causes inadequate blood flow. This impaired blood flow throughout the body may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
• Low testosterone. Men who experience erectile dysfunction or other sexual problems may also have low testosterone levels. Although more research needs to be done on the subject, low testosterone has been linked to metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Similar risk factors. Many of the risk factors for erectile dysfunction and heart disease are the same. These include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, age, smoking and alcohol use.

Although having erectile dysfunction does not mean you already have heart disease and doesn’t guarantee you will develop it in the future, it may be an early warning sign of this condition. That’s why if you experience erectile dysfunction, it’s best to talk to your doctor about getting screened for heart disease, too. Knowing if your heart is at risk by taking our Heart Disease Risk Assessment helps you determine if you should seek help to protect your heart before damage occurs.

Listen to Dr. Raza discuss coronary artery disease on the Deborah Health Report podcast.

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