Is erectile dysfunction a marker for cardiovascular disease?

There is now significant evidence that erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a s ymptom of cardiovascular disease, and can act as a marker for disease progr ession. National Health Service (NHS) prescribing restrictions on treatment s for ED have recently been reviewed by the Department of Health, and curre nt arrangements will not change. Unrestricted availability of licensed trea tments for ED on the NHS, irrespective of the cause of the ED, may encourag e men to present for investigation, enabling early detection of cardiovascu lar disease. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra), an effective treatment for ED, ca n also have a direct beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease. Unrestric ted NHS availability of ED treatments such as sildenafil could facilitate g reater achievement of National Service Framework targets for coronary heart disease.