The media has bombarded us with advertisements for Viagra and other medications for erectile dysfunction or ED; however these clever ads neglect to tell everyone that this medical condition consists of more than just the inability to obtain and maintain and erection. For men who smoke cigarettes, the ED can also be a sign of vascular disease and the signal that a heart attack is coming in the not so distant future.
It is widely known the effects of smoking have on the body to induce various diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Men who experience erectile dysfunction between the ages of 40 to 49 are at double risk for heart disease. Additionally, if you are a man who smokes, your risk is even higher for developing ED.
Erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability to get or maintain an erect penis, which could lead to a problematic sexual relationship with your significant other. While this condition can have other underlying disease factors such as diabetes and hypertension, smoking only serves to compound the problem.
How smoking affects the Vascular System:
In everyone, smoking causes the blood vessels o the vascular system to become narrow. However, in a man, this can affect his ability to obtain an erection. Having an erection is solely dependent upon the health of a man's vascular system.
There are two erectile bodies in the shaft of the penis called corpus cavernosum. They are made up of smooth muscle and blood vessels. The penis becomes erect when the corpus cavernosum fills with blood and maintains the erection by shutting down the veins that carry blood away from the penis. Erectile dysfunction occurs when this process is interrupted.
In 2000, a study in China suggested that the number of cigarettes smoked by a man impacted his ability to gain an erection. The study also indicated that erectile dysfunction was even more prominent in those with diabetes as well. In addition, men who have high blood pressure may also be affected by ED due to certain side effects o the medications prescribed to regulate it.
Erectile dysfunction and heart disease:
It is no secret among health care professionals that erectile dysfunction is a warning signal of vascular disease. In fact, many men report that they experienced ED two to three years prior to a heart attack. It is very disappointing that this warning signal of a cardiac event is widely ignored by physicians.
Even in the presence of this indicator, erectile dysfunction is still regarded as an issue of recreational activity instead of a predictor of impending heart disease, which already exists when the male patient visits his doctor for help with erection difficulties.
If you are a man with erectile dysfunction and you smoke, Viagra may not be the answer you seek or need. A cardiovascular work up may be in order instead.
It is widely known the effects of smoking have on the body to induce various diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Men who experience erectile dysfunction between the ages of 40 to 49 are at double risk for heart disease. Additionally, if you are a man who smokes, your risk is even higher for developing ED.
Erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability to get or maintain an erect penis, which could lead to a problematic sexual relationship with your significant other. While this condition can have other underlying disease factors such as diabetes and hypertension, smoking only serves to compound the problem.
How smoking affects the Vascular System:
In everyone, smoking causes the blood vessels o the vascular system to become narrow. However, in a man, this can affect his ability to obtain an erection. Having an erection is solely dependent upon the health of a man's vascular system.
There are two erectile bodies in the shaft of the penis called corpus cavernosum. They are made up of smooth muscle and blood vessels. The penis becomes erect when the corpus cavernosum fills with blood and maintains the erection by shutting down the veins that carry blood away from the penis. Erectile dysfunction occurs when this process is interrupted.
In 2000, a study in China suggested that the number of cigarettes smoked by a man impacted his ability to gain an erection. The study also indicated that erectile dysfunction was even more prominent in those with diabetes as well. In addition, men who have high blood pressure may also be affected by ED due to certain side effects o the medications prescribed to regulate it.
Erectile dysfunction and heart disease:
It is no secret among health care professionals that erectile dysfunction is a warning signal of vascular disease. In fact, many men report that they experienced ED two to three years prior to a heart attack. It is very disappointing that this warning signal of a cardiac event is widely ignored by physicians.
Even in the presence of this indicator, erectile dysfunction is still regarded as an issue of recreational activity instead of a predictor of impending heart disease, which already exists when the male patient visits his doctor for help with erection difficulties.
If you are a man with erectile dysfunction and you smoke, Viagra may not be the answer you seek or need. A cardiovascular work up may be in order instead.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse and established health writer on Clivir.com. You can find more of her work here including articles about Smoking Cigarettes Harmful Effects and Stop Smoking Cigarettes Naturally.
No comments:
Post a Comment