It is often embarrassing for men to admit they have challenges with their reproductive organs. But facing the truth can save them from heart-related diseases and stroke, Rita Ohai writes.
A man’s heart is connected to his reproductive part in more than a figurative way. Not surprising since from a physiological point of view, an erection is certainly an affair of the heart.
Erectile dysfunction may not be their favourite subject, but a new study shows why it’s one health concern that probably should not be swept under the rug.
Analysing the mechanism for effective penile activity, Dr Maxwell Jideofor said”An erection happens when the two main tubes in the penis, called the corpora cavernosa, that run the length of the penis, become filled with blood. So when men begin to have erectile dysfunction it’s a sign that there’s more widespread disease and not just for the heart but throughout all the blood vessels in the body.
“In the penis, there are more endothelial cells than in any part of the body. So any disease that causes a problem with those cells, is going to manifest itself in a male particularly.”
As we notice an increase in the number of men who become infertile or are forced to live with reproductive troubles, it is observed that more men under the age of 50 are battling penile as well as cardiac issues.
Explaining the relationship between both organs, Jideofor, says “Both erectile dysfunction and impaired heart function can be caused by reduced blood flow, which can happen when blood vessels become less flexible because of high blood pressure or other health related issues.
“In a virile man,” he continued, “the blood vessels in the penis and other places need to dilate, allowing for increased blood flow and thus an erection. Likewise, if there is something causing the vessels to constrict, the heart will not be able to pump blood to the penis and he cannot have an erection.”
Although previous evidence has shown erectile dysfunction to be linked to heart problems, since the heart and penis rely on a healthy blood flow there is a current study that finds that having a mild erectile dysfunction can increase one’s risk of a heart problem, and even of death.
The study tracked 95,000 men and found that over 7,800 of the men who had been admitted to the hospital for some sort of heart-related problem had faulty reproductive organs, and just over 2,300 had died.
It was also discovered that the men had a greater risk of all kinds of problems, like heart failure, stroke, and vascular disease among others. For example, men with severe erectile dysfunction had a greater risk of dying from any cause, whether they’d had heart trouble in the past or not.
One off the lead researchers at the Australia’s Heart Foundation, Rob Grenfell, who doubles as the hospital’s Cardiovascular Health Director, at a press briefing, said “These results tell us that every man who is suffering from any degree of erectile dysfunction should be seeking medical assistance as early as possible and also insisting on a heart health check by their general practitioner at the same time,”
He also suggested that rather than simply treating the health problem with over-the-counter medication, looking deeper into what else might be going on to underlie it is probably a very good idea.
“If you have erection issues, it’s a warning that you may also have issues with your heart. I urge any man suffering an erection difficulty to see their doctor to request a heart health check to measure their likelihood for having a heart attack in the next five years.”
Health professionals, however, advice people to rule out cases of diabetes and high blood pressure before commencing treatment for this condition.
As they say “Whatever improves the health of your heart and blood vessels is likely to improve your erections, too.”
Preventive measures
ERECTILE dysfunction is caused by a wide range of factors notably increasing age, smoking, diabetes, depression, obesity, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure say experts.
Also nerve disorders, excessive alcohol consumption, low testosterone, and certain medications, particularly sedatives and some antidepressants can worsen the condition.
As a precautionary measure here are some actions you can take on your own:
•Stop watching too much TV or sitting at the computer. The men who watched more than 20 hours of television a week had almost half the sperm concentration as the men who watched zero hours a week.
•Eating better and watching cholesterol are also beneficial. If you smoke, quit. Smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction.
•Check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly, and do what’s necessary to keep them at healthy levels.
•Exercise for 30 to 60 minutes most days by walking, cycling, swimming, or engaging in a sport you like. Men who do moderate to vigorous exercise 15 hours or more per week have a significantly higher sperm concentration than those who worked out less than five hours a week.
•Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. It is helpful to limit yourself to no more than two drinks a day.
•If you think a particular medication may be causing erectile dysfunction, ask your doctor if you can switch to another drug.
