Key facts
- ED and heart disease share risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.
- A GP can check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
- ED medicines are not usually prescribed with nitrates, which are used for chest pain.
- Chest pain that feels tight or squeezing needs a 999 call.
Why the two are linked
Getting an erection depends on healthy blood flow. The same things that can narrow or damage blood vessels around the heart, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking, can also affect blood flow to the penis.
That's why erection problems can sometimes be an early sign of heart and circulation problems.
What to ask your GP about
If you have erection problems, it's worth asking your GP to check:
- your blood pressure
- your cholesterol
- your blood sugar (for diabetes)
This is worth doing even if you get ED treatment from an online pharmacy.
Heart conditions and ED treatment
If you have a heart condition, your prescriber will need to know before recommending an ED medicine. ED medicines such as sildenafil and tadalafil are not usually prescribed together with nitrates, which are used for chest pain. Read more about heart health before treatment.
When to call 999
Call 999 if you have chest pain that feels tight or like squeezing, especially if it spreads to your arms, neck or jaw, or if you're short of breath and sweating.