Medical expert explains when erectile dysfunction is worth getting checked

However, a health expert has explained when a change in erectile function should be checked out – and how it could potentially tell you something important about your heart health.  

Speaking about when men should seek medical advice, Professor Kausik Ray, one of the world’s most pre-eminent preventative cardiologists, explained that the key thing to look out for is whether erectile dysfunction has become a regular occurrence rather than a one-off.¹ 

• Take the test: A simple 10-question check in that takes around 2 minutes to complete, intended for men experiencing erection difficulties.

“Occasional difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection is common. It will increase as one gets older. But cardiovascular disease also increases as one gets older. So, we often attribute certain things to ageing not realising that they are linked.” 

He added: “When we think about erectile dysfunction and seeking medical guidance, one of the things I think we've got to overcome is that people often associate this with psychological factors. And there's often stigma associated with this.” 

“But for example, if somebody has erectile dysfunction on a regular basis and this isn't just a one off, particularly if they have additional potential risk factors for heart disease, they should seek advice from a GP rather than just psychological support.” 

Professor Ray, who is Professor of Public Health at Imperial College, London, said persistence is one of the key things men should pay attention to. 

“If erectile difficulties are persistent and there are no obvious psychological contributors, men should consider whether overall vascular and heart health is playing a role.” 

Morning glory a key indicator 

Another change worth paying attention to is morning erections.³ 

“A normal physiological response would be for most men to experience an erection in the morning. So, a persistent change in frequency of morning erections should prompt the question of whether there is there something else going on.” 

Tackling one of men’s most awkward conversations 

That's the message behind 'Listen to Jordic', a new music video from JOE. It's equal parts ridiculous, equal parts genuinely important.  

Performed by the gloriously over-the-top Viking folk hero Jordic, the tune tackles one of men's most awkward conversations,⁶ before delivering a message that could make people think twice about ignoring the hidden significance of erectile dysfunction. 

Doctors know that erectile dysfunction can sometimes be an early indicator of cardiovascular disease because it can result from changes in blood vessel walls that affect blood flow throughout the body.^4,5  

Professor Ray explained: “Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of heart disease, often appearing before more classical symptoms like chest pain. ” 

Erection difficulties can appear 2 to 5 years before any heart symptoms become noticeable, and 3 to 5 years before a heart attack or stroke.² Despite that, most men aren't aware there is a link, and many never speak to a doctor about it.⁶ 

Why the heart is connected to the penis 

The connection comes down to the health and function of the body's blood vessels.^4,5 

Professor Ray said: “In individuals who have erectile dysfunction, blood vessels don't dilate normally, affecting blood flow to the penis.” 

Blood vessels supplying the penis are much smaller than those supplying the heart, so changes in how well they widen, as well as fatty build-up, can affect blood flow earlier here, resulting in erectile dysfunction.^4,5 

This is how a man’s penis could be giving him an early warning to seek help.^4,5 

Crucially, men shouldn't necessarily dismiss a persistent change simply because they otherwise feel healthy.^4,5 

Professor Ray concluded: “Someone who feels otherwise healthy and then starts to experience erectile dysfunction certainly should get themselves checked. Some men find that this check uncovers well-known risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. In effect, erectile dysfunction has ‘unmasked’ these otherwise silent risk factors or disease processes, giving them an opportunity to address them.” 

After watching the Listen to Jordic video, viewers can also take a quick online test here to help understand whether their symptoms could be linked to cardiovascular risk and whether it's worth speaking to a GP.  

References:  

1. National Health Service. Erectile dysfunction (impotence). Accessed September, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ 

2. Jackson G. Arab J Urol. 2013;11(3):212-216.   

3. Karacan I. Psychosomatics. 1982;23(4):349-360. 

4. De Leonardis F, Colalillo G, Agrò EF, et al. Biomedicines. 2022;10(8):1848.  

5. Salonia A, Brock, G. Erectile dysfunction: A harbinger of cardiovascular disease risk. In: Jannini, E.A. (eds) The canary in the coalmine. Trends in Andrology and Sexual Medicine. p. 27-41. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98580-5_2  

6. TRTed. The TRTed & TUF survey results. Accessed September, 2026. https://www.trted.org/articles/survey-results