Study: Erectile Dysfunction is a strong predictor of death

German researchers have linked Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as a risk factor of death from heart-related causes. Scientists want ED sufferers to consider it as serious as high blood pressure and problematic cholesterol.

A world-wide study from the University of Saarland, Germany has pointed out in The Journal of the American Heart Association that ED sufferers with heart disease are twice as likely to die. Science Daily reports that the combination of ED and cardiovascular disease is a strong predictor that one may suffer death from "cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke and heart failure hospitalization". The lead researcher urges this segment of men to address the problem with physicians and urologists. Those who only have ED should be very aware of the onset of heart disease or have a family history of the condition. ED is closely associated with the problems seen in the atherosclerosis, or the hardening of arteries and other vascular disturbances such arterial plaque, which are built-up to cause heart attacks or strokes. Specifically, the symptoms of the hardening of the arteries "can show up in the penis sooner than it would in heart arteries, because blood vessels in the penis are smaller", says the lead researcher from a CTV report .