Erectile dysfunction in primary care: a focus on cardiometabolic risk evaluation and stratification for future cardiovascular events.

An association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease has long been recognized, and studies suggest that ED is an independent marker of cardiovascular disease risk and even further, a marker for the burden of both obstructive and non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Therefore, the primary care physician (PCP) must assess the presence or absence of ED in every man > 39 years of age, especially if that man is asymptomatic of signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease. Assessment and management of ED may help identify and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events, particularly in younger middle-aged men. The initial ED evaluation should distinguish between predominantly vasculogenic ED and ED of other etiologies. For men believed to have predominantly vasculogenic ED, we recommend that initial cardiovascular risk stratification be based on the Framingham Risk Score. Management of men with ED who are at low risk for cardiovascular disease should focus on risk factor control; men at high risk, including those with cardiovascular symptoms, should be referred to a cardiologist. Intermediate risk men should undergo noninvasive evaluation for subclinical atherosclerosis. A growing body of evidence supports the use of selected prognostic markers to further understand cardiovascular risk in men with ED, particularly CT calcium scoring. In conclusion, we support cardiovascular risk stratification and risk factor management in all men with vasculogenic ED.