Erectile Dysfunction and Blood Pressure Meds

Q: I’ve heard that high blood pressure causes erectile dysfunction (ED) and that medication to reduce high blood pressure may add to the ED problem. Is that true? Is there a solution?

A: Erectile dysfunction usually refers to the inability to obtain an adequate erection for satisfactory sexual activity. Many diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease, can lead to the development of ED. If ED is of concern to you or your partner, don’t be shy about mentioning it to your physician. Although certain types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as water pills (diuretics) and beta-blockers, have been linked to ED, others, such as ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, are less likely to have side effects that inhibit sexual activity.

Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., is director of nuclear cardiology and associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University. She’s also a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.