Erectile Dysfunction and High Blood Pressure

ED can have physical causes. One possible cause is high blood pressure (also called hypertension). Having high blood pressure can increase the risk for having ED.

High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the body. Blood vessels in the penis can also be damaged. When this happens, not enough blood flows into the penis to get a firm erection.

ED can also happen as a side effect of some medicines used to treat high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor to learn if your ED could be caused by high blood pressure or medicines used to treat it.

What can you do?

If your ED is related to having high blood pressure, your doctor may talk with you about ways to lower your blood pressure, including eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking medicine.

If your ED is caused by a blood pressure medicine, your doctor may decide to change your dose or switch you to a medicine that does not cause ED. However, don't stop taking your medicine or change your dosage without consulting your doctor first.









Print this page