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.