title: Is erectile dysfunction a marker for cardiovascular disease?
abstract: There is now significant evidence that erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a symptom of cardiovascular disease, and can act as a marker for disease progression. National Health Service (NHS) prescribing restrictions on treatments for ED have recently been reviewed by the Department of Health, and current arrangements will not change. Unrestricted availability of licensed treatments for ED on the NHS, irrespective of the cause of the ED, may encourage men to present for investigation, enabling early detection of cardiovascular disease. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra), an effective treatment for ED, can also have a direct beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease. Unrestricted NHS availability of ED treatments such as sildenafil could facilitate greater achievement of National Service Framework targets for coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Betteridge
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friedli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate