Erectile dysfunction could be warning you of something more serious.

Recent research has connected erectile dysfunction with heart disease in men. Experiencing erectile dysfunction can be the first sign that risk factors for heart disease exist. According to a 2010 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association, men with erectile dysfunction were 1.6 times more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke.

Arteries in the penis are significantly smaller than those that supply blood to the heart, brain, and lower extremities. Therefore, the arteries in the penis get blocked more quickly than they do in other parts of the body. This why ED can be a precursor to heart disease years before a heart attack occurs.

The penis is also more sensitive than other organs in the body. As a result, it will be more sensitive to symptoms such as inflammation and oxidative stress associated with heart disease.

Given the link between these two conditions, men experiencing any symptoms should see an erectile dysfunction doctor right away; it could prevent a life threatening condition in the future.