Hypertension, stress and erectile dysfunction: potential insights from the analysis of heart rate variability

Increased sympathetic activity and mental stress may affect erectile function. These effects may be acute and/or chronic. Cardiovascular regulation can be assessed non-invasively using a computer-based analysis of suitable haemodynamic signals. This research may provide new insights into the complex pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). In particular, there is still a largely unexplored area of research that covers the effect of drugs on these regulatory mechanisms. Such research may provide new therapeutic options.