Modena: Impotence may be an early warning of heart disease even in men who appear healthy.

Researchers at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy studied 143 men with similar coronary risk factor scores, 70 of whom were impotent. Those with erectile dysfunction had higher levels of C-reactive protein, which is associated with damaged arteries.

The researchers said the smaller arteries supplying blood to the penis suffer obstructions earlier than the larger ones connected to the heart. They called for erectile dysfunction to form part of a general assessment of heart disease risk.