Low-T, ED And Men's Hearts

On average, men may experience a first heart attack around age 65, while for women, the average age is 72. Yet despite their earlier risk, men are 33% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ignoring symptoms or skipping routine checkups can have serious consequences—especially when some of the warning signs are tied to sensitive topics. But having honest conversations with your doctor about the following health concerns could truly save your life.

Key Takeaways: ED And Your Heart

• Low testosterone and ED may be early warning signs of heart disease. These conditions can indicate underlying vascular issues, as testosterone plays a role in maintaining healthy blood vessels and circulation.
• Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, but significant drops can affect overall health. Symptoms like fatigue, reduced libido, and mood changes may signal low testosterone, which can also impact heart function.
• ED can be linked to heart problems. Because erections depend on healthy blood flow, ED can be a sign of narrowed or blocked arteries, potentially preceding more serious heart conditions. 
• Men experiencing symptoms should consult their healthcare provider. Early evaluation and treatment can help manage hormone levels, improve quality of life and reduce cardiovascular risks.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) And Your Heart

While ED may feel like an uncomfortable topic, having erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.

“For men, erectile dysfunction is often a leading indicator for vascular disease or coronary heart disease, often 10 years in advance of having an event,” said Derrick Plahn, DO, a Franciscan Physician Network cardiologist in Indianapolis.

Why ED May Signal Heart Trouble

• Arteries in the penis are smaller than those in the heart, so arterial damage may show up there first.
• Men in their 40s with physical erection problems and no other cardiovascular risk factors have an 80% chance of developing heart problems within 10 years, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.

Medication Matters

“If you’re taking nitrates for chest pain and Viagra, you could bottom out your blood pressure and that could be a problem,” said Ghaith Nahlawi, MD, cardiologist at Franciscan Physician Network Specialty Clinic in Lafayette.

Low Testosterone And Heart Disease

Low testosterone—often referred to as “Low T”—is more than an aging sexual health issue. It’s also tied to heart health, especially when accompanied by abdominal obesity.

“Abdominal obesity can be a marker of prediabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome,” said Dr. Plahn.

What Causes Testosterone To Drop?

• Obesity and excess body weight
• Diabetes and high blood pressure
• Smoking history
• Heart disease and cancer
• Reduced physical activity
• Marital stress or long-term relationship dynamics
• Aging

Hormonal Complexity

After age 70, the body may increase luteinizing hormone (LH) to stimulate testosterone production. Levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) also affect how much testosterone is available to the body. When testosterone does fall, the result may be increased weakness and fatigue, diminished sexual performance, loss of muscle mass, and a higher risk for diabetes and dementia.

Stress And Men’s Heart Health

Stress and anger are often linked to heart attacks in men.

“They say stress kills, and it’s probably true,” said Dr. Plahn.

How Stress Impacts Your Heart

• Chronic stress can damage the endothelium, the thin membrane lining the heart and blood vessels.
• Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like poor diet, smoking, and inactivity—all of which increase heart risk.

Dr. Nahlawi adds that people who are more stressed tend to have more bad habits that pose dangers to the heart. It can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of heart disease to stress or the things that come with it. Learn more about how stress impacts your heart health.

How Can Men Reduce Their Risk?

“If we can take care of these things, they’ve all proven to contribute to heart disease,” said Kamlesh Kaul, MD, family medicine physician at Franciscan Physician Network Family Medicine West Lafayette.

Top Risk Factors for Men

• Obesity
• Lack of physical exercise
• Poor diet
• Smoking
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol

Preventative Screenings And Lifestyle Tips

A number of preventive screenings and lifestyle changes can provide peace of mind or guide a patient to needed treatments.

Dr. Nahlawi recommends:

• Quit smoking—especially if you already have heart concerns.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet, watching salt intake if you have high blood pressure.
• Monitor cholesterol levels starting at age 30.
• Exercise daily—aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity, even a long walk.

“Those basic things go a long way to keeping your heart healthy,” Dr. Nahlawi said.

Tech Tip

Fitness trackers can help monitor:

• Steps per day (aim for 10,000)
• Resting heart rate, a key measure of cardiac fitness

  “If you can lower your resting heart rate through exercise, you can lower your risk for heart issues,” said Dr. Plahn.

Family History Matters

“If you have a parent with early onset heart disease—a heart attack or stroke at a young age—then you are at risk,” said Dr. Kaul.

What to Watch For in Your Family

• High blood pressure medications
• Cardiac stents or open-heart surgery
• Early heart attacks or strokes

If anyone in your family is taking medications for high blood pressure or has had a heart procedure (including a cardiac stent placed or open heart surgery), this can provide clues to your inherited risk.

“We don’t mind one bit seeing people that self-refer because they’re concerned about a family history,” Dr. Kaul added.