Relation of Endothelial Cell Function to Erectile Dysfunction: Implications for Treatment

The prevalence of both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) increases with advancing age. These conditions share the common risk factors of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity. They also share a pathophysiologic mechanism of decreased vascular blood flow via endothelial dysfunction. There are several lines of evidence that endothelial dysfunction in men with ED can be detected well before overt manifestations of vascular damage, including atherosclerotic effects. Some evidence shows that ED can be improved not only with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors but also by treating the risk factors directly. This includes cessation of smoking, correction of hyperlipidemia, and amelioration of obesity through weight loss. Conversely, ED may be prevented through maintenance of lean body mass, consistency of physical activity, and smoking abstinence, similar to other risk factors for CVD.