It might seem like a disconnect to talk about heart health with your urologist, but the two are more closely linked than most people realize.
At Family Urology Associates in Frederick, Maryland, board-certified urologist Mohammed Haseebuddin, MD, and our dedicated team help patients with every aspect of urological health. In recognition of American Heart Month in February, we’re addressing the surprising link between your urological health and your heart and what it means for you.
To help you understand the heart-urology connection, let’s review what the urological system includes:
Although the male reproductive system isn’t part of the urinary system, they’re closely intertwined. Urologists like Dr. Haseeb are also men’s health experts.
When problems exist in the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels, it’s common to also develop problems within the urological system. The cardiovascular system supplies the kidneys, bladder, and all other parts of your urological system with the blood needed to function properly.
When we refer to heart health, we’re also talking about whole-system cardiovascular health. Some of the ways that cardiovascular and urological health are connected include:
The kidneys have a network of many tiny blood vessels, so they can be particularly vulnerable to problems with the circulatory system.
High blood pressure, artery narrowing (atherosclerosis), or other cardiovascular problems can limit blood flow to the kidneys. This, in turn, can potentially lead to kidney damage and even chronic kidney disease if untreated.
Research shows that overactive bladder, which involves a frequent urge to urinate, and heart health may be connected. A recent study found that people with better heart health had a lower risk of developing overactive bladder. Experts believe this may be tied to healthier blood vessels, better nerve function, and lower inflammation levels.
As we mentioned, urologists also treat men’s health concerns, and some of those concerns are often tied to heart health. For example, men with cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction.
At Family Urology Associates, we’re here to help you understand these connections and make proactive choices to keep both your heart and urological system healthy. Simple changes can make a big difference for both.
For example, a healthy diet can help support cholesterol and blood pressure control, which in turn improves cardiovascular and urological health. Our team can also recommend other smart choices, including getting regular health screenings and reaching out to our office as soon as you experience urological symptoms.
Take charge of your heart and urological health for American Heart Month. Call Family Urology Associates at 301-606-0551 or schedule a consultation online. We guarantee that patients can see a provider within 48 hours in urgent situations, and telehealth is also available.
