MORE than half of all heart attacks will begin without warning.
But luckily, there are some early warning signs — some of which can be spotted in the bedroom.
Half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will experience erectile dysfunction (ED).
And while bedroom error doesn’t cause heart disease, the two are inextricably linked.
Numerous studies have shown that men with ED are significantly more likely to develop heart disease and suffer a heart attack or stroke.
In fact, a 2010 German study found that men with erectile dysfunction are twice as likely to die within the next two years than those who don’t.
According to GP and TV doctor Dr Hilary Jones, the penis is often a “barometer of men’s cardiovascular health”.
“That’s why it’s always important to investigate the cause of ED,” he previously told Sun Health.
If a man’s arteries become blocked with the fatty substance cholesterol – because of smoking, poor diet or lack of exercise – it will affect the vessels throughout the body, not just the heart.
The vessels found in the penis are especially small, which means they become blocked more quickly than vessels in other parts of the body.
When blood flow to the penis is blocked, erections become more difficult to get and maintain.
If blood flow is limited here, it is highly likely that it is also weak in the arteries supplying the heart, which increases the risk of heart attack.
Some studies suggest that women with heart disease may also suffer problems between the sheets.
This is because the clitoris, like the penis, relies heavily on blood flow to have successful orgasms.
The 9 heart attack symptoms you should know
Heart attacks happen when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked.
It is a serious medical emergency and needs to be treated as quickly as possible.
Typically, heart attacks trigger symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
David Newby, professor of cardiology at the British Heart Foundation Center for Research Excellence at the University of Edinburgh, said: “It is usually described as heaviness, tightness or pressure in the chest.
“People often describe it as ‘an elephant sitting on my chest’ or ‘it felt like a tight band around my chest,’ that kind of constricted feeling.”
But experts suggest that some people may also experience:
- Pain in the neck, jaw, back, arms or stomach
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Sudden feeling of anxiety or panic
- Excessive coughing or sneezing
- wheezing
- Indigestion
Symptoms may appear suddenly or persist slowly over several days.
If you think you are having a heart attack, call 999 for an ambulance.
What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
A heart attack is not the same as a cardiac arrest.
A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked.
The heart muscle loses its vital blood supply and, if left untreated, will begin to die because it is not receiving enough oxygen.
A cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart stops pumping blood around the body and they stop breathing normally.
Many cardiac arrests in adults happen due to a heart attack.
This is because a person who is having a heart attack can develop a dangerous heart rhythm, which can cause cardiac arrest.
A heart attack and cardiac arrest are emergency situations. If you think any of these things are happening, call 999 immediately.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
