[Consensus on the clinical approach to erectile dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular disease]

The most common physical risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) are atherosclerosis, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Since accessibility to easy and efficacy drug for ED therapy, GPs are increasingly at the front line in the management of ED and are often best-placed to discuss this problem with cardiovascular male patients. This consensus aims to provide practical advice on the management of ED in patients with diagnosed cardiovascular disease and also addresses the assessment of the cardiovascular risk in restoring sexual activity in these patients. A risk assessment algorithm has been drawn up to aid clinicians in deciding the level of cardiovascular risk that would be associated with a return of sexual activity as well as criteria for referral to specialists for further cardiac evaluation. Treatment options are briefly reviewed and follow-up process identified.