The Impact of Diet, Exercise and Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Atherogenic Erectile Dysfunction: An Expert Review

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common and becomes more prevalent with age. The most common form of ED, atherogenic, is considered “the canary in the coal mine” for coronary artery disease, as it is a harbinger of angina and myocardial infarction. Given the smaller size of the penile artery relative to the coronary arteries, atherogenic ED often precedes coronary events by 2-5 years. Diet, exercise, and treatment of sleep apnea have the potential to improve and even reverse arteriogenic erectile dysfunction by, in part, decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby increasing nitric oxide bioavailability and improving vascular function. The potential for lifestyle changes to improve erectile function may prove uniquely motivating for patients to make such changes.