Hypertension and Sexual Dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is a major independent cardiovascular risk factor; and also a marker of survival risk. Quality of life during the treatment of hypertension is an important health issue; as one in every five treated patients with hypertension will discontinue their therapy due to sideeffects.1 Discontinuation of therapy; and poor compliance with therapy; will eventually lead to a poorer outcome. The appearance of treatment-related side- effects may actually make patients feel worse than they did prior to treatment; when most hypertensive patients are asymptomatic. Sexual dysfunction is a potential side-effect of therapy; and may lead to poor therapy compliance