High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK. You could be at risk of hypertension if you have erectile dysfunction, it’s been claimed.
High blood pressure – which is also known as hypertension – puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.
The condition could lead to some deadly complications, including strokes and heart attacks.
It’s crucial that your hypertension is diagnosed as soon as possible.
While it may be difficult to know if you’re at risk of high blood pressure, you should consider speaking to a doctor if you develop impotence.
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“New research suggests that high blood pressure is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction in men,” she wrote on her website, MyLowerBloodPressure.com.
“Both hypertension and erectile dysfunction are associated with abnormalities of blood vessel linings [endothelium] which affect how they dilate in response to normal triggers.
“High blood pressure also leads to thickening of blood vessel walls which reduces blood flow, and these changes also occur in the penis contributing to erection difficulties.
“Latest research suggests that low levels of the hormone, melatonin can lead to hypertension. Low levels of melatonin are also linked with erectile dysfunction.”
But just because you develop impotence, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure.
Erectile dysfunction is very common and is usually nothing to worry about.
The condition is most common in men over 40 years old and is usually caused by stress, anxiety or tiredness.
You should, however, speak to a doctor if your erection problems keep happening without any obvious cause.
You could lower your risk of high blood pressure by eating a healthy, balanced diet, and by doing regular exercise.
High blood pressure is often known as ‘the silent killer’, because symptoms only tend to reveal themselves if you have extremely high blood pressure.
It’s crucial that all adults over the age of 40 check their blood pressure at least once every five years.
You can check your blood pressure by visiting your local doctors’ surgery or pharmacy.
