Impotence is a strong predictor of heart attack and death among high-risk patients, researchers have said. A study of more than 1,500 men who already had cardiovascular disease found those who were also impotent had twice the risk of a heart attack or death as the rest.
Impotence is linked to inadequate blood flow in the penile arteries, which are much smaller than coronary arteries. So for some men, a persistent failure to get an erection might be an early sign that his arteries are narrowing.
The report suggests men with impotence should be checked for cardiovascular disease.