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Kevin L Billups

Publications and source records attributed to Kevin L Billups.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease: integrative concepts and strategies.

The relation between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is relevant and important to all fields of medicine. ED is often not considered in the same context as traditional cardiovascular conditions, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or the insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome complex. Specific guidelines for treating men with ED and known CVD have been established and recently updated. This article focuses on ED as an early symptom of systemic CVD as well as insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. The diagnosis of ED and the subsequent evaluation of underlying cardiovascular risk factors could become a powerful clinical tool to help with early detection of atherosclerotic disease and enhance overall preventive vascular health in men.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Erectile dysfunction as a marker for vascular disease.

A body of evidence from basic science and clinical research is emerging to provide a compelling argument for endothelial dysfunction as a central etiologic factor in the development of atherosclerosis and systemic vascular diseases (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, stroke, or claudication). Erectile dysfunction (ED) is another prevalent vascular disorder that, like cardiovascular disease, is now thought to be caused by endothelial dysfunction. In fact, a burgeoning literature is now available that suggests that ED may be an early marker for atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk, and subclinical systemic vascular disease. The emerging awareness of ED as a barometer for vascular health and occult cardiovascular disease represents a unique opportunity for primary prevention of vascular disease in all men. Although the implications of this relationship for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease are not fully appreciated, the available literature makes a strong argument for the role of ED as an early marker for the development of significant cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Erectile dysfunction is a marker for cardiovascular disease: results of the minority health institute expert advisory panel.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease and its related comorbidities are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and affect a disproportionately large number of African Americans and Hispanics. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease is increasing worldwide, which underscores the urgency to improve methods of prevention and early detection. AIM: To develop a risk assessment and management algorithm for primary care patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) that facilitates diagnosis, early intervention, and prevention of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The Minority Health Institute (MHI) convened an Expert Advisory Panel of cardiologists and urologists to design a new practice model algorithm that uses ED as a clinical tool for early identification of men with systemic vascular disease. A draft of the algorithm was presented at a national symposium and comments from symposium participants were considered in the development of the final algorithm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Erectile dysfunction is common and has long been considered a secondary complication of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. However, a growing body of evidence challenges this view, suggesting instead that ED is an early manifestation of atherosclerosis and a precursor to systemic vascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction is the etiologic factor linking ED and cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: The recognition of ED as an early sign of systemic cardiovascular disease offers an opportunity for prevention, particularly in high-risk and underserved minority populations. The MHI algorithm stipulates that all men 25 years old and older regardless of sexual dysfunction complaints should be asked about ED. The presence of ED should prompt an aggressive assessment for cardiovascular risk and occult systemic vascular disease.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

The role of mechanical devices in treating female sexual dysfunction and enhancing the female sexual response.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common medical problem estimated to affect about 40 million American women. In 1998, the American Foundation of Urologic Disease (AFUD) Consensus Panel classified FSD into four different categories: sexual desire disorder, sexual arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder, and sexual pain disorder. This article will focus on the role of mechanical devices to treat sexual arousal and orgasm disorders and to enhance the female sexual response. Mechanical devices may work through vibratory stimulation or by causing clitoral vascular engorgement using a vacuum system. While a number of vibratory stimulating devices are available, only one U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared-to-market device is available by prescription to treat FSD, the Eros Therapy device (UroMetrics, Inc., St. Paul, Minn., USA). The Eros Therapy is a small, battery-powered device used to gently apply direct vacuum over the clitoris causing the clitoral erectile chambers and labia to fill with blood. This article will review the rationale and benefits of using mechanical devices to treat FSD.

Clitoris↗