Middle-aged men who take steps to improve their heart health, whether by eating right, exercising more or lowering their cholesterol, also improve their sex lives, according to a new analysis of research. Nearly one in five men in the U.S. has trouble getting or maintaining an erection, a condition known as erectile dysfunction. According to the new study, drugs like Viagra aren’t the only solution and aren’t always enough to solve the problem, says co-author Dr. Stephen Kopetsky, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Erectile dysfunction has long been considered a harbinger of cardiovascular problems. Due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries of the penis, an erection cannot be achieved. If there is a blockage in the blood vessels to the genital organ, it is very likely that the arteries that surround the heart are also affected by the same process. Erectile dysfunction usually occurs 3 to 5 years before life-threatening cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, especially in younger men. “If you take for example a man in his 40s who has erectile dysfunction and compare him to another man of the same age without the problem condition, the former is about 50 times more at risk of heart disease,” explains Dr. Stephen Kopetsky. Despite the well-established link, there is little research on whether cardiovascular risk factors (such as unhealthy cholesterol levels) can also lead to erectile dysfunction. NEWS_MORE_BOX The scientists focused on 6 studies involving a total of 740 people conducted in the US, Italy, Nigeria and Iran. Caring for heart health and normalizing cholesterol levels also contribute to improving sexual performance. For some men, especially those with more persistent cases of erectile dysfunction, the benefit will be much less. For those with mild or occasional erectile dysfunction, however, it will translate into a noticeable improvement in sexual function, the researchers say. Once again, the close relationship between heart health and a man’s sexual ability is proven, says Dr. Kevin Billups, a professor of urology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Even small changes in lifestyle and nutrition can affect and improve sex life. In addition to eating enough fruits and vegetables and products rich in vitamins and minerals, physical activity is important – just 10 minutes of vigorous exercise, 3 times a week, contributes to the maintenance of the heart, says Dr. Stephen Kopetsky. The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.