Diagnosis: Half Hearted

Performance in the bedroom may not be the only thing erectile dysfunction sufferers have to worry about. A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine indicates that the depressive symptoms that often accompany sexual problems also increase the risk of future cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at the University of Florence, led by physician Elisa Bandini, screened 2,300 male subjects and found that men who exhibited more severe depression symptoms also showed greater impairment in achieving an erection. A four-year follow-up revealed that severe depressive symptoms constituted an independent risk factor for a major cardiovascular event.

Since depression can lead to erectile dysfunction and vice versa, the new findings suggest that treating both is critical for heart health. "It's extremely important to recognize depressive symptoms and erectile dysfunction, not just for sexual satisfaction, but also for general health and preventing cardiovascular disease," Bandini says. —Sajel K. Shah

Unflagging Health

A few lifestyle changes help keep you healthy above and below the belt.

• Stay Active. Exercise benefits your heart, head, and sex life by improving circulation and relieving anxiety, says Gerald Fletcher, a cardiologist in Jacksonville, Florida.
• Kick the Habit. "Smoke's toxins can accelerate artery blockages. By quitting, you dramatically reduce the risk of vascular disease," Fletcher says. And better blood flow means better—well, you know.
• Limit Alcohol. The liquid depressant can contribute to ED, depression, and in vast quantities, cardiac stress.
• See a Doctor. Drugs such as Viagra sometimes yield the best results. They inhibit an enzyme responsible for erection loss while increasing genital blood flow.