A systematic approach to erectile dysfunction in the cardiovascular patient: A consensus statement

Sexual activity is no more stressful to the heart when compared with a numb er of other natural daily activities, e.g. walking one mile on the level in 20 minutes. The cardiac risk of sexual activity in patients diagnosed with cardiovascul ar disease is minimal in properly assessed and advised patients. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common, affecting 10% of men aged 40-70 years and increases in frequency with age. ED and cardiovascular disease share many of the same risk factors and often coexist. ED in the diagnosed cardiovascular patient should be identified by routine questioning in general practice. Modern therapies can restore a sexual rela tionship in the majority of patients with ED and can lead to a substantial improvement in quality of life. The majority of patients assessed to be at low or intermediate cardiac risk , as defined later in this paper (Table 4), can be effectively managed in p rimary care. Primary care treatment for ED in patients defined as high risk can be initiated following a specialist opinion and/or confirmation that t he patient's cardiovascular condition is stabilised. There is no evidence that currently licensed treatments for ED add to the o verall cardiovascular risk in patients with or without diagnosed cardiovasc ular disease.