According to researchers, depressed males with ED can also face cardiovascular risks.

Cardiovascular disease is the class of diseases, which include the heart or blood vessels (arteries and veins).

ED and depressive mood are often linked, and both are associated with an augmented risk of heart problem and death.

Researchers led by Elisa Bandini of the University of Florence (Italy) examined 2,000 male patients with ED using a structured interview while also scoring for depressive symptoms.

The study outcomes show that in these subjects with ED, depressive disorder raises the chance of cardiovascular problems, independently from other known risk factors.

Furthermore, even the use of anti-depressant medications did not alter the relationship between severe depressive symptoms and adverse cardiovascular events, says a University of Florence release.

Bandini said, "Recognising depressive symptoms in subjects with erectile dysfunction is mandatory not only for improving their sexual life, but also for preventing cardiovascular diseases."

"What is important about this study is the broader concept of the sexual medicine problem no longer being just about a man's performance in the bedroom, but about his psychological mood and his cardiovascular health," states Irwin Goldstein, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sexual Medicine and director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego. (With Inputs from Agencies)