Matters of the heart, the role of hypertension

Scores of men are affected as well. Among them, 1 in 7 suffer from erectile dysfunction due to hypertension itself or prescription drugs. Attention problems are often the cause of poor compliance with treatment. The only solution to overcome its reluctance and talk to her doctor.
 
When you're heart, love affairs are not always easy. First, failures are more frequent sex than other men, on the other hand, fear of heart attack is fear that these love stories will end badly ... How to separate the imaginary and reality?

Hypertension and erectile dysfunction

High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined by blood pressure systolic above 14 (140 mmHg) or blood pressure diastolic above 9 (90 mmHg). According to recent epidemiological data established by the National Committee to fight against hypertension, an estimated 10 million people have hypertension and 7 million are under treatment.
Among this large population, men may have erectile dysfunction because of their hypertension and / or because they follow the treatment. A large epidemiological study American (Massachusetts Male Aging Study) conducted in 1994 shows that erectile dysfunction would concern 9.6% of the 1290 men 40 to 70 years interviewed. Among treated hypertensives, this percentage was 15%, 1 patient treated at 7.

Alteration of the arteries
Why hypertension promotes Does the onset of erectile dysfunction? There are two main causes:

This condition leads to a deterioration of the arteries, the structure is changed due to the increased pressure. In addition, hypertension promotes atherosclerosis, that is to say, the thickening and hardening of artery walls. The passage of blood into the arterial tissue is well handicapped and erection quality decreased;
Some treatments for hypertension may also impact on the patient's sexuality. Some studies3 reported difficulty in obtaining and maintaining an erection than in hypertensive patients treated compared with untreated. The mechanisms involved are still quite mysterious. What is less clear is the wrong treatment monitoring in cases of erectile problems. The impact on the sexual life of hypertensive patients treated leads sometimes abandonment of treatment, which has implications on the future cardiovascular3.
Despite these side effects, few patients to succeed and overcome their reluctance to talk with their doctor. "If we pass beyond the cape of expressing psychological problem, it is possible, more or less easily provide solutions to erectile dysfunction. In some cases, a simple modification of therapy may resolve difficulties in others the contrary, it will reassure both the patient and possibly prescribe a treatment for erectile dysfunction, which more often hardly poses problems of interaction with antihypertensive treatment. " said Dr. Nicolas Danchin, an expert on hypertension at a conference on the relationship between hypertension and erectile dysfunction. The only cons-absolute indication is the combination of nitrates and phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Levitra®, Cialis® and Viagra®).

Panic at heart!

Sexual activity is one of many stresses to which the heart is subjected. This "sexual effort" Is it dangerous to the heart muscle, or alternatively, as some regular physical exercise, sexual activity she may have a protective effect?

The work of American researcher Stein4 have evaluated the request both in terms of increased tension in heart rate during intercourse. In young and healthy, these indicators rise considerably. Among those suffering from coronary artery disease, these two indicators fall. Intercourse compared with physical activity and an intense emotional response represents a low risk of myocardial infarction.

A large study5 conducted among 858 hospitalized patients has assessed the risk of sudden death directly related to sexual activity. The results were reassuring: only 0.9% of cases. A more recent Swedish survey6 reassessed the risk: 1.3% of heart attacks occur after intercourse but the risk of heart attack was still doubled in the first hour after the reports and by 4.4 in sedentary patients.
But do not panic, cardiologists recommend that patients practice of moderate physical activity such as walking to accustom his heart during exercise. Sexual activity is not actually a physical effort of moderate intensity, comparable to the energy to spend up two floors at a good pace. But this estimate is only average and reached the seventh heaven can sometimes exceed those famous double-decker ...

Furthermore, we know that regular exercise is a protective factor vis-à-vis the cardiovascular diseases. Sexual activity may be assimilated to a sport like any other? At least, that some studies suggest. (read our article Three nights a week)

Given the impact on quality of life, hypertensive patients should not silence their erectile problems. The doctor can assess disorders and possibly modify treatment. Just as a specific treatment for erectile dysfunction may be considered.

 

Home » Erection » Matters of the heart, the role of hypertension