Understanding individuals' response to erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition in men with cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet it is frequently under-recognized and under-diagnosed in clinical practice. Men are often reluctant to seek treatment, even though they have lower sexual and overall life satisfaction compared with healthy people. Moreover, moderate ED has a similar impact on a patient's satisfaction with sexual life as severe ED. Both patient- and physician-related factors contribute to the under-diagnosis and under-recognition of ED. A holistic, patient-centered approach is fundamental to the management of ED in men with CVD. Sexual medical training courses can enhance physicians' communication skills. Implementing lifestyle changes, recognizing the factors that lead to poor compliance and reducing psychologic stress can also lead to improvements in the management of ED. As ED and CVD share similar risk factors, a common prevention strategy has been proposed.