Heart disease: Erectile dysfunction may be precursor to heart disease

The primary effects of erectile dysfunction (ED) are obvious: a man's self esteem is challenged and relationships are often disrupted. 

But this condition may also have a benefit of sorts. A new study shows that ED diagnosis may offer an important signal that something dangerous is going on. 

Erectile dysfunction may indicate coronary artery disease
According to Dr Emilio Chiurlia of Italy's University of Modena, the small arteries of the penis develop obstruction from atherosclerosis (plaque build up on artery walls) earlier than the larger coronary arteries. A recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology carries a study in which a team lead by Dr. Chiurlia looked for an association between vascular ED and narrowing of the coronary arteries.

Researchers recruited 70 patients with vascular ED and 73 subjects with no ED or history of coronary artery disease. Three coronary risk factors were measured:

* Function of the cells lining the brachial artery wall
* Calcification of the coronary artery
* Circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)

Results showed that dilation of the brachial artery was generally more impaired in the ED group and coronary artery calcification was more frequent among ED subjects. The ED group also had significantly higher CRP levels.

In an interview with Science Daily, Dr. Chiurlia described ED as part of a 'systemic vascular disorder,' and added: 'These patients should be considered at high risk for coronary artery disease.'

Manage CRP levels naturally
The dangers of high CRP levels are familiar to HSI members.

CRP is produced by the liver in response to inflammation, which can be triggered by a wide variety of health problems, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and infections such as pneumonia.

Beyond being a reliable indication that the body is experiencing some type of crisis, elevated CRP has been shown to be an aggravating factor in creating blood clots that commonly lead to stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular events.

Obviously, the management of CRP levels should be considered a priority for anyone with elevated levels - especially men with ED. In the Science Daily interview, Dr. Chiurlia notes that ED patients are candidates for 'aggressive treatment.' Most conventional doctors would probably interpret 'aggressive treatment' as a combination of an ED drug and a statin.

Statins, of course, are the cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as Lipitor) that are heavily promoted by drug companies for multiple uses, including the management of CRP. But there are two natural ways to treat CRP without the use of best selling drugs: diet and exercise.

Increase your fibre intake and lower CRP
In the e-alert 'More on the depression/heart disease link' (31/5/04), I told you about a study that examined the dietary and medical records of more than 3,900 men and women to assess the association between dietary fibre intake and CRP levels.

Comparing subjects who had the highest fibre intake with those who had the lowest, researchers found that CRP levels were lowest among subjects with fibre-rich diets. How fibre intake affects inflammation is still poorly understood, but previous studies have shown that soluble fibre intake may have a preventive effect against heart disease. Soluble fibre sources include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, oats and barley.

And there's another common nutrient that may help lower CRP. In the e-alert 'The statin drug controversy continues' (2/5/05), I told you about research reported in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in which 515 mg of vitamin C taken daily cut CRP levels by nearly 25 percent in just two months.

Meanwhile, we've seen studies that have demonstrated a clear link between physical fitness and CRP control. Regular exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular function while also helping alleviate ED.