Erectile dysfunction: A sign of heart disease?

Though erectile dysfunction is distressing, it isn't life threatening. But heart disease can be. Erectile dysfunction — trouble keeping an erection sufficient for sex — can be an early warning sign of heart disease. Understanding the connections between erectile dysfunction and heart health can help you recognize signs and symptoms of heart disease early on. Likewise, if you have heart disease, getting the right treatment can help you maintain or improve erectile function. Factors linked to heart disease that can cause erectile dysfunction include:

• Atherosclerosis. This damaging process reduces blood flow to your heart and contributes to coronary artery disease. It can also affect the blood vessels to the penis, causing erectile dysfunction. Conversely, if you're having trouble with erections, it could be a sign that your heart is also at risk.
• Medications. Some prescriptions that men take to protect their hearts can cause erectile dysfunction. Additionally, medications that are often prescribed for erectile dysfunction may not be safe when combined with certain heart medications.
• Depression and anxiety. Researchers have found a connection between depression, heart disease and erectile dysfunction. Feeling anxious can also lead to erectile dysfunction. If you have heart disease, you may worry that having sex could trigger a heart attack.

Why create a plan to cope with fibromyalgia pain?

When fibromyalgia pain and other signs and symptoms are severe, you might not be thinking clearly. This isn't the time to make a plan for coping. Instead, creating a plan when you're feeling better helps to ensure you're ready when a difficult day arrives.

A flare of fibromyalgia pain can send you into a spiral of stress and despair if you aren't prepared. But having a plan to follow can give you a sense of control over your signs and symptoms. Rather than worry about what to do when you feel bad, you can turn to your plan and focus on ways to feel better again.

When should you use your plan?

Sometimes you can predict a flare in fibromyalgia pain. You may know that stressful situations, such as holidays or special occasions, tend to set off your pain. Or you may know what signs and symptoms signal a flare, such as migraines or stomach problems.

When you feel a flare coming on, revisit your plan. Take a look at what's coming up on your calendar. Identify what's necessary and what's not. Focus your energy in the next few days on what's necessary. Plan time in your schedule for relaxation.

If you experience typical signs and symptoms of a flare, you don't need to call your doctor. Just follow your plan. But if you experience new or particularly intense signs and symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.