by Marygrace Taylor, Melissa Matthews

<p>Thats right: Even if youre getting an erection with no problem now, you still may be well on your way to erectile dysfunction.</p>

<p>Penis problems generally dont just pop up out of the blue, though. In many cases-especially if were talking about a physical cause of <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19547035/erectile-dysfunction-myths/" id="ff3767f5-38f0-36e6-a45e-b2ce35152d22">  erectile dysfunction </a> , rather than a mental one-there are certain signs that can serve as a harbinger that issues may be brewing.</p>

<p>Sometimes, a minor erection issue could be a sign that youre headed towards disaster in the sack. It could also be your bodys way of telling you that you have another, more serious concern to deal with, explains S. Adam Ramin, M.D., medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles.</p>

<p>So no penis problem should be ignored. Here, 7 unexpected signs that can point to erectile dysfunction down the line-and what you should do if you notice them.</p>

<h1>  Erectile dysfunction sign: You havent woken up with morning wood in a while  </h1>

<p>Nighttime and early morning erections have nothing to do with feeling aroused: They happen because your brain releases less noradrenaline-a hormone that keeps erections from happening nonstop-during sleep.</p>

<p>Having frequent morning wood is a good thing, since it indicates the blood vessels that allow blood to flow to your penis are healthy, says Dr. Ramin.</p>

<p>If you start noticing that youre waking up with an erection less often than usual, that could mean that those blood vessels arent working as well as they should-making it harder for blood to flow into your penis to become erect, Dr. Ramin says. That means the same issue impeding your morning wood might eventually rear up in the bedroom, when youre actually trying to get hard.</p>

<p>Now, theres no magic number that means you could be in trouble. Its any amount thats different than your normal that raises the red flag. </p>

<h1> Erectile dysfunction sign: You dont think about sex as much as you used to </h1>

<p>If the stuff that usually gets you going just isnt working anymore, theres a good chance that your testosterone levels are lower than normal.</p>

<p>Testosterone is the main hormone responsible for your sex drive, explains New York-based urologist and sex expert David Shusterman, M.D. If it plummets, your desire to get going in the say may, too.</p>

<p>And if youre not really in the mood, getting hard will be next to impossible.</p>

<p>Along with a lack of sexy thoughts, you may also notice some <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19533454/effects-of-low-testosterone/" id="aaa01e81-dd4b-3e89-aa35-e6363a5e56d0">  other signs of low testosterone </a> , like fatigue or mood changes, difficulty building muscle, or even developing a gut.</p>

<h1>  Erectile dysfunction sign: Your cholesterol or blood pressure reading came back high  </h1>

<p>The results from your annual physicals lab work might hint that your erection is in danger. Two of the most common tells? High cholesterol and high blood pressure.</p>

<p>High total cholesterol is anything 240 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher, and <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19542524/new-blood-pressure-guidelines/" id="1881c2cb-db2c-3052-abdd-abe087bea4de">  recent guidelines have just lowered the threshold for high blood pressure </a> to 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or above. ( <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/g19545885/causes-of-temporary-high-blood-pressure/" id="b2e9e44d-13f2-3b32-a1d1-fdc7fb5ab002">  One high BP reading probably isnt a big deal. </a> But more than two to three elevated readings over time likely means you have high blood pressure.)</p>

<p>Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, causing them to lose their elasticity. This makes it harder for the vessels to expand so more blood can flow into your penis, says Dr. Ramin.</p>

<p>That in turn can make getting hard more difficult. If the vessels cant dilate, there wont be enough blood flow to cause an erection, he says. </p>

<h1> Erectile dysfunction sign: You started a new prescription medication </h1>

<p>Antidepressants and high blood pressure meds are particular culprits, says Dr. Ramin.</p>

<p>Antidepressants like SSRIs (like Prozac or Paxil) and SNRIs (like Effexa XR and Cymbalta) make it harder for hormones and chemical signals that make you feel aroused, like norepinephrine, to reach the brain, explains Dr. Ramin. And that lowered libido can make it harder to get an erection. Typically, youd start to notice these symptoms within a couple weeks of starting the meds.</p>

<p>Blood pressure meds, of course, work to lower your blood pressure. Thats a good thing for your overall health, but it can be a bad for your sex life. Lower BP means less blood flow to the arteries in your penis, which could mean trouble getting hard, Dr. Ramin says.</p>

<h1> Erectile dysfunction sign: Your gums are swollen, tender, or bleed easily </h1>

<p>Gums that are swollen, painful, or bleed when you brush or floss are likely signs of gum disease. That doesnt cause ED directly, but it <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19538041/erectile-dysfunction-dental-disease/" id="f88a791d-c95c-3150-a5f1-f8436cfaa04d">  can set off a chain of events </a> that could create problems for your package, Dr. Shusterman explains.</p>

<p>Thats because gum disease can lead to inflammation throughout your body, which can damage your blood vessels. And if your blood vessels arent functioning properly, itll be tougher for blood to flow into your penis and make you hard. </p>

<h1>  Erectile dysfunction sign: You dont get as hard as you used to-or you have trouble staying that way </h1>

<p>Youre still getting hard enough for sex. But your penis still might be signaling an issue if you notice any kind of change to your erection-in fact, this can be the early stage of ED.</p>

<p>Its usually a slow, progressive problem, Dr. Ramin says. Initially, a patient might notice that his erections are not as firm, or that he isnt able to maintain his erections for as long as before.</p>

<p>Theres no cutoff level for how soft or short an erection has to be to signify a problem, though. Its just about changes from your own personal norm, says Dr. Ramin. Its probably not a big deal if it only happens once. But if you notice it happening frequently and you cant think of a mental reason why youd be having trouble getting hard (like youve been extra exhausted or stressed), that might be pointing to a bigger issue. </p>

<h1>  Erectile dysfunction sign: Youre suffering in the sleep department </h1>

<p>No matter whats stealing your shuteye, lack of sleep can lead to problems in the boner department. That may be especially true if you have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder where your breathing pauses frequently throughout the night.</p>

<p>Nearly 70 percent of guys who have sleep apnea also have ED, <a href="http://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/can-obstructive-sleep-apnea-lead-to-erectile-dysfunction-ed/" id="bbce0673-7e8c-3259-aa2c-d02fbe5324c2">  according to </a> the International Society for Sexual Medicine.</p>

<p>Sleep deprivation causes testosterone levels to plummet and can make you feel more stressed or anxious, Dr. Shusterman explains. And all of those things can kill your libido and make it harder to get an erection.</p>

<h1> Erectile dysfunction sign: You have kidney disease </h1>

<p>Guys with kidney disease may also have problems maintaining erections. That's because medical conditions like these also impact hormone levels, blood circulation, and energy, <a href="https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/impotence" id="e55ad34a-976b-3fa1-aef8-6beaf16f1487">  according to the National Kidney Foundation </a> . Some guys may lose interest in sex because because of the emotional changes caused by their condition, however, this may improve over time. And that's not to say that all men with kidney problems will go on to experience ED. Taking all prescribed medication, communicating with your doctor, and speaking with a psychologist can help guys <a href="https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/sexuality" id="460798d8-c3f1-3314-abd7-3a389bfe9941">  maintain a healthy sex life </a> .</p>

<h1> Psychological factors of erectile dysfunction </h1>

<p>Most men will experience ED at some point. In fact, 70 percent of guys will impacted by the time they're 70, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Guys are often too embarrassed to speak with their doctors, but there's no need to hide their conditions says urologist Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt. </p>

<p>"Men have said to me they often feel like less of a man because they are unable to get an erection," he tells Men's Health. "At that moment I usually tell them that their ability to admit to the problem is the best they can do as a man."</p>

<p>Usually patients are less anxious after talking through their problems and learning they're not alone, he says. But left untreated, ED can severely impact a guy's self-esteem and even relationships. </p>

<p>"There can be a breakdown in communication, and Ive seen couples' problems in the bedroom lead to problems elsewhere in their relationship," he explains. "Men can avoid this by just manning up and talking about the problem!"</p>

<h1> What to do if you notice erectile issues </h1>

<p>If you notice anything about your erections starting to seem unusual, talk with your doctor, recommends Dr. Ramin.</p>

<p>Sometimes the fix might be straightforward, like adjusting your meds if you take prescriptions that are messing with your ability to get hard. If it turns out that the problem stems from an underlying health issue, diagnosing and treating it could be the key to getting your erections back to normal. That could involve tests to measure things like your blood pressure, cholesterol, or testosterone levels.</p>

<p>Either way, your doctor might also be able to offer help in the short term to keep your sex life from tanking-like prescribing an ED med like Cialis, Viagra or Levitra. (For everything you need to know about ED, check out <a href="https://www.rodaleu.com/courses/the-mens-health-guide-to-erectile-dysfunction?rdl_source=menshealth.com&amp;rdl_medium=textlink&amp;rdl_campaign=EarlySignsOfErectileDysfunction&amp;rdl_term=Health" id="12392893-9347-3063-ad74-34dae5dff437">  The Men's Health Guide to Erectile Dysfunction </a> ).</p>

You have no problem getting an erection-and keeping it up until you and your partner are both satisfied. But even if your penis is humming along just fine now, there could still be some issues lurking beneath the surface.

8 Surprising Signs Erectile Dysfunction Might Be In Your Future

<p>Thats how heart attacks in men are usually portrayed in movies, but it doesnt always work that way in real life.</p>

<p>Although heart attacks can occur without any warning, that scenario is way less common than you think. Common heart attacks generally come with warning signs. </p>

<p>Most patients do have symptoms prior to their heart attacks, says James Park, M.D., FACC, director of the Heart and Vascular Program at Texas Health Dallas. Its just that sometimes, men will ignore the symptoms or chalk it up to some other malady. (Here's <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19515816/real-heart-attack-stories/" id="3c64e209-e37e-324a-ae96-820e21a48ff9">  what a heart attack really feels like </a> , according to six real guys who had one).</p>

<p>Think about it: If you felt overwhelming chest discomfort chances are youll get it checked out. But its easy to blow off more subtle symptoms of a heart problem. </p>

<p>While you probably think you're pretty healthy, cardiovascular problems are way more common than you'd think. According to <a href="https://newsroom.heart.org/news/nearly-half-of-all-u-s-adults-have-some-form-of-cardiovascular-disease" id="ba5b3636-5d6a-3a0f-a92d-4c6bbe618f79">  new statistics </a> from the American Heart Association, roughly 50 percent of Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. As the organization warns in a new report, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the most deaths worldwide.</p>

<p>In the U.S., the number of heart disease-related deaths increased to 840,678 in 2016 from 836,546 in 2015. This jump is attributed to updated guidelines for high blood pressure which lowered the reading to 130/80 mm Hg, from the previous reading of 140/90 mm Hg. High blood pressure is a big risk factor of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. </p>

<p>This is why it's vital to take unusual signs seriously you can catch a heart attack before it happens. </p>

<p>Here are seven unexpected cues to watch for, plus what you should do if you have them.</p>

<h1> Sign of potential heart attack: Youre physically exhausted </h1>

6 Harrowing Signs a Heart Attack Might Be In Your Near Future

<p>If your day-to-day routines or workouts suddenly seem unusually hard-or youre too worn out to do your normal tasks altogether, its time to visit the doctor, says Robert Segal, M.D., FAAC, founder of Manhattan Cardiology.</p>

<p>Feeling extra tired can signal weakness of the left ventricle of your heart, the main muscle responsible for pumping blood from the heart to the rest of the body, says Segal. If it stops working, the heart isnt able to pump properly, which can result in a heart attack.</p>

<p>And if the left ventricle isnt pumping as strongly as should be, your heart might not be able to circulate enough blood throughout your body, or to fill up properly with fresh blood in between heartbeats. To compensate, the body diverts blood away from muscles and sends it to more vital organs like the heart and brain, <a href="http://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/warning-signs-of-heart-failure" id="77232c94-e58f-3193-a631-24a40b680e84">  according to the American Heart Association </a> . This will leave you exhausted-even after a full nights sleep, since your tissues arent getting enough fresh, oxygenated blood.</p>

<h1> Sign of potential heart attack: Your erection falters </h1>

<p>Erections occur when more blood flows into your penis, making it firm and hard. But if those blood vessels are damaged, blood flows less freely, meaning youre less likely to get an erection, or maintain an erection, when aroused. Thats a main <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/erectile-dysfunction-myths" id="8a0b3be7-c849-3b1f-a44c-07fc90956d58">  cause of erectile dysfunction </a> .</p>

<p>As Segal explains, if your blood vessels down there are damaged, theres a good chance the ones near your heart could be damaged as well.</p>

<p>A major cause of this blood vessel damage is plaque buildup. When that occurs in the vessels to your heart, you could be at risk of a heart attack, he says.</p>

<p>Having a one-time performance problem isnt likely a big deal-it could just mean youre tired or stressed. But if the issue persists after a few sessions in the sack, it could be a sign of something more serious. </p>

<h1> Sign of potential heart attack: Your leg or hip cramps up when you walk  </h1>

<p>A cramping or burning sensation in your calves that slowly moves up to your thighs and hips could be bad news. Its a common sign of peripheral artery disease-a narrowing of the arteries that limits blood flow to your limbs, stomach, and head.</p>

<p>That discomfort is caused when not enough blood flows through your legs. Most patients will admit to not being able to walk normal distances without symptoms, or having to stop to rest before they can walk again without symptoms, says Park.</p>

<p>This discomfort could mean your heart is at-risk for potential problems, too. PAD is similar to coronary artery disease, where plaque builds up around the hearts major blood vessels. So the plaque buildup that contributes to the narrowing of your arteries in your limbs may also be occurring in arteries by your heart, too, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350557" id="5081fb6b-b5ac-3f73-a2fa-41901d02b52d">  according to the Mayo Clinic </a> .</p>

<p>And that buildup can significantly up your risk for a heart attack, says Park.</p>

<h1>  Sign of potential heart attack: You have a serious snoring problem  </h1>

<p>Snoring like a buzz saw, waking up gasping for air, or feeling tired despite going to bed at a reasonable time could all be signs that you have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder marked by pauses in breathing. And if left untreated, it could increase your chance for a heart attack.</p>

<p>Those pauses in breathing can seriously stress your body, raising your blood pressure, causing your heart to beat irregularly, and upping the risk for heart disease, says Segal. And all of those things can make a heart attack more likely. </p>

<h1> Sign of potential heart attack: You feel sick to your stomach </h1>

<p>Sometimes nausea, indigestion, or a burping feeling that wont go away is just a sign of a <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19525147/stomach-flu-survival-guide/" id="4cfc8ef0-03fe-353d-a4cd-2234e0e9c65f">  stomach bug </a> . But it can also signal a problem with your heart.</p>

<p>The nervous system sometimes confuses signals coming from various parts of the body, says Park. The nerves in your gastrointestinal tract are closely intertwined with the nerves from the heart. As a result, a problem that could be brewing in your heart can sometimes translate as stomach discomfort, he explains.</p>

<p>Theres a way to tell a stomach bug from something more serious, though. Usually nausea caused by an impending heart attack will get worse with physical exertion and ease up when you rest.</p>

<h1> Sign of potential heart attack: You feel strangely anxious </h1>

<p>Studies show that women with anxiety are more likely to have reduced blood flow to the heart compared to those without anxiety. And though the same hasnt been shown for men, its still important for guys to consider the relationship between anxiety and heart attack risk, warns Segal.</p>

<p>Thats because many symptoms of anxiety-like chest pain, shortness of breath, and  -are also signs of a heart attack, especially if youre not in the middle of dealing with a stressful situation that might normally cause these kinds of symptoms.</p>

<p>This can potentially mask heart problems in many patients and lead to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, explains Segal. In other words, youre probably not going call 911 if you think your racing heart is just a mood thing.</p>

<p>Anxiety can put extra strain on your heart too. Thats because feeling tense causes your blood vessels to constrict and speeds up your heart rate, which could both trigger a heart attack, says Segal.</p>

<h1> Signs of heart trouble: Youre bloated </h1>

Male stomachache or Gastroenterologists / Concept with Healthcare And Medicine.

<p>Bloating is common-particularly after eating a super salty meal-but it can also be caused by <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279409/" id="ef1ce432-936c-3928-a8f2-d70d24a0531f">  congestive heart failure </a> . This is because the heart is too weak to properly pump blood through the body, which causes fluids to build up throughout the body.</p>

<p>Generally, youll notice swelling in the legs feet, ankles, legs or stomach, <a href="http://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/warning-signs-of-heart-failure" id="77232c94-e58f-3193-a631-24a40b680e84">  according to the American Heart Association </a> . You may even gain weight unexpectedly or notice that your shoes are too tight. If youre suddenly bloated (and it wont go away), it may be time to visit the doctor.</p>

<h1> What to do if you experience heart attack symptoms </h1>

<p>Unlike the classic crushing chest pain, these symptoms dont guarantee that your heart is in immediate danger. But they could indicate that trouble could be brewing down the road, so make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as you can.</p>

<p>If youre fortunate enough to have symptoms, listen to your body and get them checked out, Park says.</p>

<p>If your doctor suspects that a heart attack could be looming, he might recommend an EKG, a test measures the hearts electrical activity and shows if your heart is damaged. He might also call for a coronary angiogram, which detects blockages in your arteries.</p>

<p>And if you experience any classic symptoms that signal youre having a heart attack right now, call 911 ASAP. These include chest pressure or tightness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, breaking out into a cold sweat, or discomfort in the arms, neck, or jaw.</p>

<p>Of course, the best way to prevent a heart attack is to   by lowering high blood pressure, maintaining a normal body weight, and abstaining from smoking. </p>

7 Signs You May be at Risk of a Heart Attack

A guy walks down the street, feeling totally normal-when he suddenly <a href="https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a25413375/apple-watch-ecg-release/" id="f30466ad-bcba-358f-a07f-41e08e49549d">  clutches his chest </a> and collapses.

7 Warning Signs That You May Be at Risk of a Heart Attack

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by Marygrace Taylor, Melissa Matthews

Articles written by the author

8 Surprising Signs Erectile Dysfunction Might Be In Your Future

7 Warning Signs That You May Be at Risk of a Heart Attack