Erec­tile dys­func­tion is al­ways a mat­ter of the heart, but new re­search sug­gests more than ro­mance is at stake. Two new stud­ies of men with type 2 di­a­be­tes found that erec­tile dys­func­tion was a pow­er­ful early warn­ing sign for se­ri­ous heart dis­ease, in­clud­ing heart at­tack and death.

A study of 2,306 men with diabetes but no signs of heart disease found that those with erectile dysfunction at the start were 58 percent more likely to have a heart attack or other major cardiac problem over the next four years than those with adequate sexual function.

The root cause of both can be blood vessel damage caused by high blood sugar levels.

In fact, erectile dysfunction can predict cardiovascular troubles that include chest pain, heart attack, stroke — and death, according to two new studies published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Men who have difficulty achieving or maintaining erections should tell their doctors without delay so they can be evaluated for further cardiac risk. Interventions might include changes in diet, exercise or medication, experts said.

Previous research has suggested that the arrival of the sexual problem generally precedes the development of heart symptoms in type II diabetic men by approximately three years, and the study tested this link in more detail.

Awareness about the connection between diabetes, erectile dysfunction and heart risks is long overdue, even those familiar with the disease said. Andy Mandell, executive director of the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, said most diabetic men have no idea that erectile dysfunction may signal cardiac problems.

A spokesman for the British Heart Foundation said that men with erectile dysfunction should be checked by their GP.

“Sadly, a lot of men with erectile dysfunction ignore it instead of seeking help and support. Reporting erectile dysfunction could help them to access tests and treatments that will lower their chances of having a heart attack or stroke.”

Source: BBC, MSNBC, World Science