Relationship of Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction in Men Without Previously Diagnosed Hypertension

Abstract

Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common male sexual disorder that affects all age groups and has a close association with essential hypertension. Aim To characterize the relation of blood pressure and ED in detail. Methods A cross-sectional population-based study of 45- to 70-year-old men without previously diagnosed hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, renal disease, or diabetes was conducted from 2005 to 2007 in southwestern Finland. A total of 665 men with at least one cardiovascular risk factor were studied. ED was defined by the five-item International Index of Erectile Function. Outcomes We found a U-shaped association between diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and prevalence of ED. Results The average age of the study subjects was 56 ± 6 years and 52% had ED. After adjustment for age, cohabitation status, education, fasting plasma glucose level, waist circumference, and prevalence of depressive symptoms, the curve relating DBP to the prevalence of ED was U-shaped with a nadir of DBP 90 mm Hg. Clinical Implications Our findings emphasize the importance of blood pressure measurement in the physical examination of men with ED. Strengths and Limitations This was a cross-sectional study, which prevents the evaluation of causality between ED and hypertension. However, this community-based study population is well defined and the anthropologic measurements were made by trained medical staff. Conclusion We found a U-shaped correlation between ED and DBP, which confirms the link between ED and hypertension.

Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: A melting pot of circumstances and treatments

“…Several trials have confirmed the strong association between ED and hypertension 3,62‐66 . Results from the SPRINT trial showed that ED was very common in middle‐aged and older men with hypertension, affecting 59.9% of the patients.…”

“…Several trials have confirmed the strong association between ED and hypertension. 3 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 Results from the SPRINT trial showed that ED was very common in middle‐aged and older men with hypertension, affecting 59.9% of the patients. The authors, however, concluded that this percentage may be higher considering that patients who already received phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor treatment were also included in the study.…”

Penile Doppler ultrasonography and elastography evaluation in patients with erectile dysfunction

“…Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is characterised by persistent inability to develop and maintain an erection of the penis in men for intercourse [1]. ED is one of the most common sexual disorders in males, and it affects about half of the male population between 40 and 70 years old [2,3]. ED is a neurovascular phenomenon modulated by hormonal, local biochemical, and biomechanical factors [4-7].…”

“…ED is a neurovascular phenomenon modulated by hormonal, local biochemical, and biomechanical factors [4-7]. Erectile dysfunction may signal serious underlying diseases, such as hypertension [2], diabetes mellitus [8,9], cardiovascular disease [10,11], peripheral vascular disease [12], and other endocrine [13] and neurological disorders [14,15].…”

Cardiorenal Determinants of Erectile Dysfunction in Primary Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The finding that ED was associated with ventricular hypertrophy confirmed the study of Kakkavas et al [22] in which it was reported that ED was associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which is an early abnormality in the evolution of hypertensive LVH. Heikkilä et al [23] found a U-shaped correlation between ED and diastolic BP, which confirms the link between ED and severity of hypertension. ED and hypertension share a common pathogenesis, namely vas- Data are presented as % (n).…”