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Erectile Dysfunction: Are You at a Risk for a Heart Attack?
If erectile dysfunction is bad enough news for men, be prepared because there's more to it than just that. As if to add more damage, recent studies place a correlation between erectile dysfunction and the incidence of heart problems in men. Specifically, studies have shown that those with erectile dysfunction are also at risk for heart attack. While the two condition may seem unrelated to the uninitiated, the findings hardly came a surprise to researchers because it is known that the same artery that causes reduced blood flow to the heart when blocked is also the same artery that caused reduced blood flow to the penis when it is blocked.
How Dangerous Is the Condition
Doctors do not really say that having erectile dysfunction is also a sign that a man will have a heart attack in the future. To be safe though, it is best to take the dysfunction as a red flag for heart problems in the future including heart attack. Usually, it is the first sign or indication that a man may be suffering from heart problems so it must be taken seriously.
Another way to determine if a man has the possibility of suffering from heart attack is to undergo an examination to determine his testosterone level. This examination is more conclusive in the sense that it really determines if man has erectile deficiency or not. However, even if the result says yes, it is still not clear whether heart attack is a consequence of the condition or whether it is the cause of erectile dysfunction.
Another group of men who are at risk of developing heart attack and erectile dysfunction are those that are obese. In fact, during researches, a strong correlation was found between the obesity of a person and the development of heart problems and erectile dysfunction. On the other hand, leaner men do not manifest these symptoms.
What Are the Treatment Methods Available?
Treating erectile dysfunction does not necessarily treat the heart condition. In fact, the two have different approaches to treatment. However, the one thing that they share in common is that cardiovascular exercises are very helpful in improving the patient's condition. The goal of such exercise is to strengthen the arterial muscles that are blocked to make it carry sufficient amount of blood both to the heart and to the penis. Then again, it must be remembered that in case of more severe conditions, other treatments may be necessitated.
Another newer treatment method used to treat erectile dysfunction and lessen the probability of heart attack is to put the patient on a no-fat, no-salt diet and feed him with a lot of vitamin C. This is because vitamin C is known to strengthen the arterial muscles that facilitate increased blood flow. On the other hand, taking oat and foods rich in fiber also helps in cleansing the artery of any blockage - something that obese men better learn because it helps reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction and heart problems.
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MEN'S HEALTH
