Can high blood pressure cause ED (erectile dysfunction)?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a penile disorder that affects your ability to get and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. It occurs in approximately 52% of men aged 40–70 years, becoming more common as men get older.

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) occurs when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high. Over time, this damages your arteries and can lead to complications like heart attacks and strokes. 26.2% of the UK population, or approximately one in four adults, have been estimated to have hypertension.

High blood pressure is common among older men and is a known cause of ED, with ED considered to be an early warning sign of hypertension. So, what is the relationship between hypertension and impotence and what is the effect of blood pressure medication on ED? Keep reading to find out.  

The link between high blood pressure and ED

To start the process of getting an erection, your brain sends signals to the nerves and tissues in and around your penis to get them to relax, open up and let blood flow into the penis.

However, if high blood pressure damages your blood vessels and causes them to narrow, it can limit the flow of healthy blood around your body. As the penis has some of the smallest arteries in the body (only 1 to 3mm in diameter), it is often one of the first parts of your body to be affected by high blood pressure. Meaning that high blood pressure can directly impact your ability to get and maintain an erection.

In fact, a 2020 review found that 71% of patients with high-risk hypertension displayed signs of ED.

Can blood pressure tablets cause erectile dysfunction?

However, another reason ED is associated with hypertension is because the medications used to treat it can also cause ED.In fact, blood pressure medications, like thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, and beta-blockers, are one of the top causes of ED. This is because they all decrease blood flow to the penis.

Blood pressure medications that can contribute to ED include:

• propranolol
• atenolol (Tenormin)
• metoprolol
• spironolactone
• chlorthalidone

However, other blood pressure drugs don’t tend to cause ED to the same extent. So, if you’re experiencing ED as a side effect of medication, your GP may change your medication or prescribe a medication to treat the ED, such as Viagra or Cialis:

The blood pressure medications likely to cause less erectile dysfunction are:

• alpha-blockers (Doxazosin or Terazosin)
• ACE inhibitors (Ramipril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (Losartan)

If you have any concerns about your blood pressure medication, you should discuss these with your GP. You should also make sure you tell your GP about any other non-prescription medications you’re taking, including herbal supplements.

Can you take Viagra with high blood pressure?

Medications used to treat ED include:

• sildenafil (Viagra)
• vardenafil (Levitra)
• avanafil (Spedra)
• tadalafil (Cialis)

Generally, these medicines are thought to be safe for men with controlled, asymptomatic high blood pressure who are otherwise in good health.However, they are not recommended for men with severe heart disease.

Other ways to treat high blood pressure

You can also try lowering your blood pressure with lifestyle modifications. These are often recommended if you are in the early stages of hypertension before you are prescribed medication.But they can still help alongside medication if your elevated blood pressure is more advanced.

Lifestyle modifications used to treat high blood pressure include:

• keeping to a weight that’s healthy for you
• eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fruit, vegetables and whole grains  
• reducing the amount of salt you eat to no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day
• getting plenty of potassium (between 3,500 to 5,000 milligrams per day). Foods high in potassium include bananas, avocados and skin-on potatoes
• doing regular exercise
• limiting the amount of alcohol your drink
• doing relaxation therapies, like yoga and meditation
• reducing the amount of caffeine you drink

Sources

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