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.
Everyone is fully aware of the fact that it has been proven smoking leads to heart disease and cancer. However, it is not widely known that men age 40 to 49 are at a greater risk for these two diseases and men who smoke increase their risk for ED as well.
The inability to obtain and maintain an erection is the definition of erectile dysfunction. While this problem can be caused by many things, it is generally brought about by underlying diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. If a man afflicted with these diseases smokes, he only increases their effects as well as creating new problematic symptoms.
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.
China conducted a study in 2000 that suggested the number of cigarettes a man smoked impacted his erection abilities as well as men who additionally had diabetes. Furthermore, it is thought that men with high blood pressure experience ED more as the medications prescribed to regulate it have certain side effects.
Heart Disease and Erectile Dysfunction:
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.
Smoking in combination with erectile dysfunction is not necessarily an indicator that Viagra is needed. It is however an indication that blood tests and other analyzing may be needed to be performed by a healthcare professional in order to ensure there isn't something more serious at work. - 30299
Everyone is fully aware of the fact that it has been proven smoking leads to heart disease and cancer. However, it is not widely known that men age 40 to 49 are at a greater risk for these two diseases and men who smoke increase their risk for ED as well.
The inability to obtain and maintain an erection is the definition of erectile dysfunction. While this problem can be caused by many things, it is generally brought about by underlying diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. If a man afflicted with these diseases smokes, he only increases their effects as well as creating new problematic symptoms.
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.
China conducted a study in 2000 that suggested the number of cigarettes a man smoked impacted his erection abilities as well as men who additionally had diabetes. Furthermore, it is thought that men with high blood pressure experience ED more as the medications prescribed to regulate it have certain side effects.
Heart Disease and Erectile Dysfunction:
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.
Smoking in combination with erectile dysfunction is not necessarily an indicator that Viagra is needed. It is however an indication that blood tests and other analyzing may be needed to be performed by a healthcare professional in order to ensure there isn't something more serious at work. - 30299
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who is passionate about writing and sharing her knowledge. She started an online classroom at Clivir.com where she help people learn more about Smoking Health Diseases and Cigarettes Smoking Statistics.
