Vascular diseases have been documented as the most common cause of ED and share similar aetiologies and patho-physiology (e.g. endothelial dysfunction), including age, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, depression and hypertension. Early identification of people at risk of CVD is vital for effective management of the condition. Individuals with ED should be investigated for cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this study was to identify individuals who had ED and were at risk of cardiovascular disease.

After ethics approval, 139 apparently healthy individuals (mean age 61 ± 11) were recruited from GP practices across the UK. Subjects completed up to three questionnaires (ED details, The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and ED related Quality of Life. A health professional also completed a medical details questionnaire.

55% of subjects were currently suffering from erectile dysfunction with a mean duration of 6.4 ± 6.6 years. Following the return of the questionnaires patients were stratified into high, medium and low risk for cardiovascular disease. From those suffering from erectile dysfunction, 51% were at low, 42% medium and 7% high. Only 44% of subjects with ED had discussed their symptoms of erectile dysfunction with a health professional. In almost half of the men with ED, there were missed opportunities to undertake a CVD risk assessment and provide an intervention, because the men did not acknowledge the problem. Men with ED should be specifically targeted for CVD preventative strategies in terms of lifestyle changes, and appropriate pharmacological treatments.