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A man’s ability to maintain an erection could have an effect on his lifespan.
A study carried out by a team of scientists at the University of Mississippi has revealed that erectile dysfunction, a condition affecting a man’s sexual performance, may increase the risk of an early death.
Although erectile dysfunction is believed to affect older men, 20% of men under 40 in the US suffer from this disorder. It has been linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidemia.
It is also considered a risk factor for coronary heart disease, angina myocardial infarction as well as stroke.
In order to find the link between the disorder and cardiovascular disease, the team of scientists examined 1,790 men between the ages of 20 to 85. The data were taken from 2003 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and death records from the National Death Index through December 21, 2011.
Based on their findings, the scientists discovered participants with erectile dysfunction had a 70% increased risk of premature overall mortality. However, they revealed that the results could be limited by the self-report assessment of erectile dysfunction.
“These findings have major public health and clinical implications in that erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of premature mortality,” the study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded.
