Erection Problems May Signal Heart Disease

Erectile dysfunction could be a sign of early heart disease, says an Australian study. The study found that men with severe erection problems had nearly twice the risk of early death as men who had no erection problems. Men with erection problems also had higher risks of heart attack, heart failure and other heart-related problems. The study included data from 95,000 men. It is the largest study to look at the link between erection problems and heart disease. Erection problems are common. About 1 in 5 men over the age of 40 say they have moderate to severe problems maintaining an erection. The study was published January 29 in the journal PLoS Medicine. The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, as well as several other newspapers, wrote about it January 30.