Why does vascular disease cause ED?

Erections require blood flowing into the penis and being trapped there. Vascular disease narrows and damages blood vessels, reducing blood flow. The small penile arteries (1-2mm) are often affected before larger vessels.

Is ED an early warning sign of heart disease?

Often yes. The same vascular disease that causes ED can affect heart vessels. ED symptoms may appear 3-5 years before cardiovascular symptoms, making it a potential early warning sign worth investigating.

What ED treatments work best for vascular ED?

Treatments that address blood flow are most logical for vascular ED. Shockwave therapy promotes new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), potentially addressing the root cause rather than just masking symptoms like pills do.

Illustration of blood vessels and vascular health

Vascular Disease and ED: Why Blood Flow Is the Real Issue

August 29, 2021 Updated November 30, 2024 3 min read

Vascular diseases affect the blood vessels, resulting in lower blood flow to organs in the body. This can also cause issues with the body’s ability to move blood to the penis, meaning a decrease in erection quality. It is estimated that these diseases may be the cause of ED in as many as 50% to 70% of men who have it.

Here are some common health conditions that are linked with vascular disease and clogged arteries:

Coronary artery disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Obesity
Peripheral vascular disease

Additionally, smoking greatly raises chances for clogged arteries and vascular disease. Quitting smoking is one of the lifestyle changes that can lead to lessening the severity of erectile dysfunction.

How ED Caused By Vascular Disease Is Treated

There are many treatments for ED available, such as prescription medications, injections, surgical implants, and vacuum devices. The extent to which any of these treatments works varies widely on a person to person basis.

It is important to note that many common ED treatments operate on the symptoms of ED as opposed to the root cause. If you have erectile dysfunction caused by vascular disease, a treatment course that addresses the issue of increasing actual blood flow in the pelvic and genital region is an option that should be highly considered. Shockwave therapy promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth), directly addressing the vascular issues at the root of most ED.

Sources

Cunningham GR, et al. Overview of male sexual dysfunction.
Raheem OA, et al. The Association of Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Critical Review. American Journal of Men's Health

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