Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that can affect men of any age, but it is more common as men get older. Around 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 will experience some form of ED. High blood pressure is also common among older men. Is there a relationship between high blood pressure and ED? Certainly. However, both conditions are often part of a bigger set of health issues.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which can cause “hardening” of the arteries and can result in problems such as heart attack and stroke.
Since the penis has some of the smallest arteries in the body (only 1 to 3 mm in diameter), it can be affected first by conditions like high BP and cardiovascular disease, just like the canary in a coal mine analogy. In fact, ED can be an early sign of cardiovascular disease, and if you have ED, you should be screen for cardiovascular issues.
Treatment Through Medication
Although high BP itself can cause ED by reducing blood flow to the penis, medications to regulate BP can also cause ED. Common BP medications like beta-blockers and diuretics can cause ED. To counteract these side effects, doctors can either change the BP medication to one that does not cause ED, or prescribe medications to treat ED, such as Viagra or Cialis. Because everyone’s body is different getting the right medication and dosage may take time and require some trial and error.
It’s important to note that nitrate-based BP medications, such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide dinitrate, cannot be combined with drugs like Viagra and Cialis, because the combination could result in dangerously low blood pressure.
Exercise and Diet
One way to prevent and limit ED that is related to high BP or cardiovascular disease without medication is through lifestyle medications. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and lowering stress can all reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease. For many in this day and age, it isn’t easy to change habits. But when it comes to ED, the effort may just be worth it to you and your partner.
