Impotence is a strong predictor of stroke signs and death among patients with cardiovascular risk, scientists in Germany found.
And it can be a dangerous risk factor such as hypertension and cholesterol, the researchers added.
The study was conducted with 1519 men who were already suffering from cardiovascular disorders and found that those who were powerless had twice the risk of a heart attack or death than others.
Scientists at the University of Saarland, who published their study in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, claim that men who have erectile dysfunction should undergo a screening for cardiovascular disease.
Some experts also expressed that doctors should ask men over 40 who undergo health examinations if they suffer from the disorder.
Erectile dysfunction or impotence is a disorder linked to inadequate blood flow in the arteries of the penis.
These arteries are much smaller than the coronary arteries.
For some men, a persistent failure to achieve an erection could be a first indication that your arteries are narrowing.
“Erectile dysfunction is something that should be regularly reviewed the medical records of patients,” says Dr. Michael Bohm. Internal Medicine Chairman, Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care, University of Saarland, who led the study.
“Because I could be a symptom of the early stages of atherosclerosis,” he adds.
The study followed men from 13 countries who already have cardiovascular disease and followed a log to see if they suffered heart attacks or stroke.
At the start of the study participants were asked about erectile dysfunction problems and then they turned to question two and five years later.