Health

Unhappy in bed? You might have a heart disease

By Sreya Basu

Posted on February 11, 2016

The issue, generally is considered a closed-door topic which neither of the partners are willing to talk about, and so far has remained limited to Internet and Whatsapp jokes.

If latest studies are to be believed sexual dysfunction might be a sign of heart disease.

In a Daily Mail article, Texas A&M Health Science Center cardiologist Dr John Erwin said sexual dysfunction, especially in men, is the body’s way of telling you that your heart is not well.

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He said when plaques build up in the arteries, men suffer from erectile dysfunction as the blood-flow in the penis is reduced significantly.
In women, he said, the drop in sexual desire might be a sign of menopause, which, in turn, leads to heart-related diseases like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The issue, generally is considered a closed-door topic which neither of the partners are willing to talk about, and so far has remained limited to Internet and Whatsapp jokes.

But, fact is, there are many common factors between erectile dysfunction and cardiac diseases.

Mayo Clinic, on its website, said diabetes is one of the main common factors as people suffering from high sugar levels in blood are likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction as well as heart disease.

Smoking and drinking are another common link where tobacco and alcohol users are found to be more vulnerable both in cases of sex and heart.

The Mayo Clinic says men who has either high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels (read, the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol) also suffer in both fronts.

Age is of course an important player. Men under 50 suffering from erectile dysfunction are more likely to develop a diseased heart than men in their 70s when the biological clock does the ticking.

Men with low testosterone are found to be more prone to heart diseases than ones with normal levels.

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