Erectile dysfunction: A significant health need in patients with coronary heart disease.

Background and Aims: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition, which negatively affects quality of life, and shares similar risk factors with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Studies from the pre-sildenafil era confirm a higher risk of ED inpatients with cardiovascular disease. The high profile and success of sildenafil therapy has made it easier for some men to discuss erectile difficulties with healthcare professionals. Our aim therefore was to estimate the prevalence of ED in our cardiac rehabilitation patients. Methods and Results : We surveyed 150 random male cardiac rehabilitation patients using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. 61% of all respondents bad erectile difficulties, rising to 75% in the over 55 age group 48% of respondents indicated their wish to discuss erectile problems with the healthcare team. Conclusion. ED and CHD commonly co-exist. A large proportion of our respondents wished further discussion of erectile insufficiency. We recommend that cardiac rehabilitation programmes should adopt a proactive approach to detection and treatment of ED.