Erectile dysfunction is red flag for silent early cardiovascular disease

Despite decades long prevention and treatment efforts, cardiovascular (CV) disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Early detection of CV disease can allow for interventions to prevent heart attack and stroke, including smoking cessation, medications such as a statins, blood pressure control, weight management, exercise, and improved diet. A new study focuses on a novel risk factor for cardiovascular disease that rarely receives attention -- erectile dysfunction.