Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of other conditions, including heart disease

Your penis can be a barometer of your overall health. When your penis is not functioning properly, that may be an early symptom of other conditions, including cardiovascular disease. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about a decline in sexual function. Sometimes it’s a warning sign of something else.

In this video, you’ll learn:

• The artery that supplies blood to the penis is much narrower than an artery in your heart, so conditions that affect your cardiovascular health can affect your sexual function long before they affect your heart—sometimes up to 10 years before symptoms appear.
• Other conditions you may not notice that can cause erectile dysfunction:
  • Kidney disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Damaged nerves or blood vessels

Watch our full series on erectile dysfunction causes and treatments