Erectile dysfunction may be an early symptom of cardiovascular disease, urologist Leonid Bokhanov has warned. He made the comments in an interview with the outlet RIAMO.
Bokhanov explained that erections can fail when a man begins developing problems with his blood vessels. He said the artery supplying the penis is much thinner than the coronary arteries, which means vascular problems can cause erectile dysfunction before the heart itself starts to hurt.
Warning signs before a heart attack
The urologist added that vascular-related potency problems can appear several years before a heart attack or stroke. He said the blood vessels of the penis send the first signal of trouble while the heart stays silent, and that persistent erectile dysfunction in a man aged 40 to 50 is a signal to check the heart and blood vessels, even if nothing else is bothering him.
Bokhanov's advice
Bokhanov recommended that men with erectile dysfunction be examined by both a urologist and a cardiologist. He said this would help detect vascular problems at an early stage and allow treatment to begin in time.
Bokhanov had previously warned about the dangerous consequences of an erection lasting many hours, urging men to call an ambulance if arousal does not subside after more than four hours.
