The findings suggested that erectile dysfunction -- afflicting more than half of men aged 40-70 years and greater than 70 per cent of men over age 70 -- can be a simple and effective marker of underlying risk of subclinical cardiovascular disease.
"Our study indicate that [young] men [with erectile dysfunction] are at greater risk of having identifiable subclinical cardiovascular disease and will benefit from an active disease work-up," said researchers led by Chukwuemeka Osondu (Baptist Health South Florida).
"Measures of erectile dysfunction could be a simple effective cardiovascular disease risk stratification tool, particularly in young men who are less likely to undergo aggressive cardiovascular risk assessment and management," researchers noted.
For the study, published in the journal Vascular Medicine, the team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies that examined the link between erectile dysfunction and measures of early cardiovascular disease.
They reported a significant association of erectile dysfunction with impaired endothelial function -- a marker of the ability of blood vessels to relax that is an early event in vascular disease development.
In addition, erectile dysfunction was associated with increased carotid intimal medial thickness (carotid IMT) -- an early manifestation of atherosclerosis.
"Our study supports a more aggressive cardiovascular disease risk assessment and management for persons with erectile dysfunction, including young men who may otherwise be categorised as low risk due to their young ages," the researchers noted.
The study, published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia, shows considerable differences in the mineral deposits found in aortic valves of men and women who suffer from stenosis, a life-threatening heart condition caused by a narrowing of the aortic valve opening.
For the findings, the research team analysed damaged heart valves from patients who had undergone transplants.
'What we showed, which was a surprise to us, is that the type of minerals in the heart valves is different between the sexes. We unexpectedly found that the minerals are different in composition and shape and that they grow slower in women," said study researcher Marta Cerruti from McGill University in Canada.
According to the researchers, the findings demonstrate the importance of thinking about diversity in the context of research, a concept that has historically been a blind spot for the scientific community. For example, using only male mice in experiments used to be standard practice.
"Our study is the perfect illustration that by only looking at a specific population, you will skew your data. Having a more diverse data set improves your science," Cerruti said.
The study showed the need to develop different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches when treating aortic stenosis in men or women.
In order to make that happen, the research team to further investigate this cardiovascular phenomenon and understand the precise composition of the mineral deposits they found in women.
"Understanding what the minerals are could definitely help to develop a cure," said Cerruti.
"It's possible that there could be easier ways to target these minerals and dissolve them for women," she added.
(IANS)