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In light of Men’s Health Awareness Month, we’re going to be addressing some of the most common issues for men of all ages. In this case, we’re going to be talking about high blood pressure and its effect on ED.
BDE Style wants you to be aware of the topic and to really start taking it seriously as different parts of the body can be affected by high blood pressure.
You see, the thing is, most guys tend to be afraid of the doctor's office or are less likely to visit a doctor because of the old “macho” act. It’s an old notion taught by our ancestors that we’re strong and we don’t need to speak up if we feel a little tired, weak, or vulnerable. But, when it comes to high blood pressure and its effects on things like our erections, most of us will start worrying and visiting the doctor more frequently.
Let’s take a look at why you need to start taking your high blood pressure a little more seriously!
Why Are Routine Check-Ups Important Concerning ED and High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is very common and it can affect both men and women, in fact, studies from the CDC show that over 108 million adults suffer from high blood pressure.
The issue is that for men it may lead to more serious difficulties and dysfunctions in other parts of the body. Things like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, or death are some of the results of having “unmanaged” blood pressure over time. This is why It is important to keep an eye on your blood pressure because once these dysfunctions start happening, they can affect more than just the above.
And, we’re talking about YOUR erection! It is true when they say a man’s penis is a good indicator of his overall health. If you’re starting to have erectile difficulties and you do have high blood pressure, just know that it is not a coincidence, in fact, it is often an indicator of further complications.
High blood pressure can harm your vascular system. The most common reason that ED occurs is when there isn't enough nitric oxide in the penis. High blood pressure may also weaken arterial walls, which in turn become thick and narrow. As a consequence, the blood flow to the penis is decreased, causing it to appear small.
High Blood Pressure and Hypertension
There is a relationship between hypertension and ED in men. According to a Harvard study, men with ED issues have a 38% more chance of having high blood pressure than the ones without ED.
However, not all men with high blood pressure have ED issues. Hypertension patients who consume multiple drug regimens are more prone to ED. (Multiple drug regimens mean that the person relies on more than one drug to control their blood pressure.)
Does Blood Pressure Medication Cause ED?
There are some blood pressure medications that cause ED as a side effect. Some of the examples of medications for blood pressure that have ED as a side effect include thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, and beta-blockers.
These medications reduce the blood flow to the penis hence resulting in ED issues. Fortunately, there are other blood pressure drugs in the market that rarely cause ED.
Examples of such medications for blood pressure include alpha-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin-receptor blockers. Blood pressure patients must consult with their doctors regarding their medications. If their medicines have ED as a side effect, then their doctors can prescribe them a different one.
Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally
Some small changes in your lifestyle can greatly impact your blood pressure levels and overall health and well-being. Implementing these tips will also support your healthy sex life.
Quit Smoking: Smoking and Obesity are the two most common risk factors for high blood pressure. If you are a smoker, it's time to let go of the habit.
Lose Weight: Obesity is one of the factors that cause high blood pressure. Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease and helps in maintaining a healthy sex drive.
Consume a Balanced Diet: Limiting sugar and refined carbohydrates in your diet will lower your blood pressure.
Reduce Sodium in Your Diet: Lessening the amount of salt intake in your diet, and increasing potassium will lower your blood pressure.
To reduce salt intake, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have suggested the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet to lower your salt intake. The DASH diet focuses on:
Foods with fewer amounts of Sodium
Fruits and vegetables
Low-fat dairy products
Fish
Whole grains
Beans
Fewer sugars
Reduced Red Meat Intake
A Few Other Examples Include:
Live a 'Hakuna Matata' Life: It means no worry for the rest of your days! We are living in stressful times. You could be stressed due to your work, family demands, international politics, or COVD 19. However, to stay healthy, it's time to let go of your stress, no matter how hard it may seem. Live one day at a time. Indulge in your favorite hobbies, talk to a friend, and let go of stress.
Include Garlic in Your Diet: Eating garlic is one of the important natural ways to reduce high blood pressure. Studies show a direct correlation between eating garlic and reducing the risk of hypertension!
Sleep Well: Sleeping reduces your blood pressure levels. Hence, it is important that you sleep the recommended 8 hours per day. Sleep deprivation will increase the risk of high blood pressure levels.
Consuming ED Medication With High Blood Pressure
Many people are concerned regarding the use of ED medication for high blood pressure. ED drugs such as Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and Tadalafil (Cialis) are considered safe by doctors for men experiencing high blood pressure.
However, men having other health-related issues such as cardiovascular disease or problems with urination are advised to NOT consume ED drugs.
This is crucial because some of these medications contain nitrates and would not be a good combo to take with a PED5i inhibitor since they also have nitrates too. Doing so would cause a severe drop in your blood pressure levels.
Acoustic Wave Therapy
The Phoenix is an acoustic wave therapy device that is available for home use without a prescription. The device utilizes acoustic wave therapy to improve sexual performance in bed by making it easier for men to "get it up".
Current studies show that the use of acoustic wave therapy is non-invasive and is highly recommended by experts and doctors alike. When coupled with other healthy lifestyle choices like a better diet and exercise, acoustic wave therapy is an excellent non-prescription alternative for managing issues related to not being able to "get it up" when dealing with high blood pressure.
Overcoming Difficulties Relating to Sex and High Blood Pressure
Men can face stress and anxiety due to incidents of erectile dysfunction. There is stress regarding whether this will happen again, and this, in turn, could cause men to avoid having sex altogether. High blood pressure affects ejaculation and lowers the sex drive which causes stress on relationships and sexual confidence.
With that being said, having high blood pressure doesn't mean that you should give up on your sex life. Talking with your doctor regarding your problem will help you to better manage your health and erectile dysfunction. The most important thing to remember is to not let the problem get out of hand. You are in control of your sexual health and wellness!
It is also crucial that you get your spouse/sexual partners on board when trying to manage high blood pressure, ED, and sexual performance issues. You should discuss with your spouse any issues that you may be experiencing with arousal, expectation/pressure when having sex, ways to relax, and other communicative tactics that could help you in managing your treatment.
At the end of the day...You have options! Using a device such as The Phoenix is one of the best ways to make it easier to rise to the occasion in bed.
Here at BDE Style, we are advocates for men like you! So, visit the rest of our site today to learn more about how you can take back control of your sexual health.