Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual condition that can compromise your ability to achieve and hold an erection. It’s a fairly prevalent sex-buster, afflicting hundreds of millions of men across the globe.
One reason for its widespread prevalence is its multifactorial nature. People with ED can develop it due to underlying health conditions, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and even psychological disorders.
Among these sources of ED is a particularly concerning one for many: heart conditions. Heart disease and erectile dysfunction often go hand-in-hand, as cardiovascular health and erectile function utilize the same body parts, primarily blood vessels.
And to make matters worse, having erectile dysfunction can also be a marker for early-onset heart disease. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality nationwide. As such, treating cardiovascular risk factors like ED through the right medical remedies is important.
While erectile dysfunction can’t be cured permanently, it can be managed with the right treatment plans. This article will outline some of the best ED treatments for people suffering from cardiovascular disease.
Let’s hop right into it.
The Physiology of an Erection
Before looking into the treatments of ED, it’s essential to understand the background of how erections form in the first place.
Erections occur as a result of the following sequence:
- The brain receives physical, visual, or sensory stimulus that prompts arousal.
- When aroused, the brain sends signals to the nerve endings directed to the penis, initiating the release of nitric oxide (NO).
- Nitric oxide, being a vasodilator, prompts blood vessels to dilate, enhancing blood flow to the penis.
- Upon expansion, the blood enters chambers in the penis called the corpus cavernosum.
- To prevent blood from leaking back into the body, a second set of blood vessels squeeze the exit shut.
- These two mechanisms cause an erection to form.
When there’s a problem or insufficiency in any of these mechanisms, it can be telling of an underlying health or sexual function problem like erectile dysfunction.
In such cases, it’s best to speak with a medical professional to have them diagnose and treat these risk factors.
The Connection Between ED and Heart Health
Your heart health directly impacts the quality of your erections, and vice versa.
If you’re suffering from high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, a recent heart attack, or other cardiovascular risk factors, your blood vessels have likely been impaired—leading to poor blood flow.
Furthermore, the damage caused by heart problems (such as high blood pressure) can cause endothelial dysfunction later on, a phenomenon wherein blood vessels narrow instead of dilate and nitric oxide levels are insufficient.
Endothelial dysfunction can cause cholesterol to build up in your inner blood vessel lining, gradually chipping away at your body’s ability to circulate blood efficiently. In turn, this can lead to erectile problems.
Besides that, heart disease and erectile dysfunction also share multiple risk factors. To name a few, diabetes, obesity, and smoking habits contribute to both declining erectile function and declining heart health.
As such, proactively watching over both your erectile and heart health is crucial for living your healthiest life.
3 Medical ED Treatments for Men With Heart Problems
Here are some medically prescribed treatments for men with erectile dysfunction induced by heart conditions.
1. Erectile Dysfunction Therapy
Often referred to as ED therapy, this type of treatment uses a combination of gels, creams, suppositories, injections, and pills to help restore erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction.
This type of therapy is curated based on the patient’s symptoms, that is, if they’re suffering from mild, moderate, or severe ED.
Furthermore, doctors will also have considerations for men with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, so that ED treatments won’t interfere with other health factors.
For instance, men who are taking chest pain or heart failure medications like nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate may be discouraged from taking Viagra and other ED medications because they can lead to low blood pressure.
This therapy is prescribed by a urologist or sexual doctor. It can take anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks depending on the results of the initial treatment outcomes.
2. RestoreWave Therapy
RestoreWave therapy, also known as acoustic wave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that uses a special device that emits sound waves to break plaque build-up in the erectile tissues.
Plaque can reduce the volume of blood entering the erectile tissues, causing difficulties in arousal and sexual stimulation.
That said, this treatment has been proven to help facilitate the growth of new blood vessels in the penile region, encouraging healthy erections.
The best part of this therapy is that it doesn’t require invasive intervention.
3. Surgery
For people with severe cases of ED, surgery may be recommended.
This permanent solution uses a penile implant or prosthesis to inflate an erection, causing it to look bigger than normal.
This can be effective for improving sexual performance; however, it will need to be coupled with healthy lifestyle factors for the best long term outcomes.
Natural Lifestyle Remedies For Men with ED and Heart Problems
Improving your sexual health entails more than getting medical checkups. It also entails following a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some lifestyle habits you should consider adopting for healthier erections:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Managing stressors
- Sleeping at least 7 hours a night
- Exercising at least thrice a week
- Avoiding drugs and drinking
Get The Best ED Treatments at Tampa, Florida’s Top Men’s Health Center
Erectile dysfunction can be a great source of shame and embarrassment for men, especially for those who once had active sex lives with their partners.
This is especially true for men who are already dealing with poor cardiovascular events, such as congestive heart failure and hypertension.
That said, it’s possible to treat erectile dysfunction with the right medical team.
Need guidance? The medical specialists at the Tampa men’s clinic known as Prestige Men’s Medical Center are equipped with the knowledge, resources, and expertise to help you restore your erections in a safe, clinical environment.
Besides our state-of-the-art ED treatment, we also offer RestoreWave therapy, adrenal fatigue treatment, testosterone treatment, premature ejaculation treatment, and much more.
It’s our mission to help men overcome their sexual dysfunction, one treatment at a time. Schedule an appointment with us today, your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.
