Don’t Stop Hypertension Drugs Over Erectile Dysfunction

The National Cardiothoracic Centre has warned men with hypertension against stopping their medication over fears that the drugs could affect their sexual performance, cautioning that doing so could expose them to life-threatening complications.

Head of Cardiology at the Centre, Prof Alfred Doku, said concerns about erectile dysfunction were causing some patients to either avoid or discontinue their hypertension medication, despite the potentially fatal consequences of uncontrolled high blood pressure.

He urged patients not to stop taking their medication without consulting their doctors, stressing that untreated hypertension could result in stroke, heart disease, sudden death or permanent disability.

“Some of the patients are afraid of taking the medication, especially hypertension medication, because of erectile dysfunction. They cannot perform in the bedroom,” Prof Doku said.

However, he dispelled the perception that all hypertension medications cause erectile dysfunction, describing it as a myth.

“And also the myth that every hypertension medication causes erectile dysfunction is not true,” he said.

According to Prof Doku, erectile dysfunction could sometimes be a result of an underlying medical condition rather than the medication being taken by the patient.

“So, if you’re having an issue with erectile dysfunction, it could even be the diabetes or the hypertension that is causing it, not necessarily the drug,” he said.

He therefore urged patients who experience sexual difficulties while taking hypertension medication to consult their doctors instead of discontinuing treatment on their own.

“So, if you have any concerns, discuss with your doctor,” he advised.

Prof Doku said doctors had several treatment options available and could change or adjust a patient’s medication where necessary to address possible side effects.

“We have different medications; we can change them, adjust them so that you can perform in the bedroom,” he said.

“But don’t stop your medication because if you stop, you will die from stroke, heart disease, or you can develop a permanent disability from a stroke,” Prof Doku warned.

Hypertension silently killing Ghanaians

The warning comes amid growing concern over the rising burden of hypertension, heart disease and stroke in Ghana, with Prof Doku noting that the conditions are increasingly affecting younger people.

He said heart disease and stroke had become major causes of death in the country, with a significant proportion of those affected being below 50 years.

“Close to 50% of people who die in Ghana die from stroke or heart disease. That is the main thing that is driving mortality in Ghana,” he said.

He added that the problem was no longer confined to older people, warning that the country’s productive workforce was increasingly being affected.

“It occurs in younger people, those younger than 50 years. So the workforce is dying from heart disease and stroke,” he said.

Prof Doku explained that Ghana’s disease burden had changed significantly over the years, with communicable diseases previously accounting for a larger proportion of deaths.

“In the past it was mainly malaria, TB, HIV, malnutrition, but we’ve taken care of these diseases,” he said.

He identified hypertension as a major driver of the country’s growing burden of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Over 70% Ghanaians unaware

Speaking at a press launch of the 2026 World Heart Day in Accra, Prof Doku disclosed that more than 70 per cent of Ghanaians living with hypertension were unaware that they had the condition.

He attributed the growing prevalence of hypertension partly to changing lifestyles and warned that the silent nature of the condition made it particularly dangerous.

“We are getting a lot more people with hypertension. Indeed, the number one driver of cardiovascular diseases is hypertension. Most people are not aware that they are hypertensive.

“Over 70 percent of Ghanaians with hypertension are not aware of their condition. Those who are aware, only a few of them are on medication, and those on medication, only a few of them have their blood pressure controlled, so this is what is driving the heart diseases.

“This is what is driving the stroke, and this is what is driving the kidney failure in Ghana. That is why the number of people dying from these diseases is increasing because the risk factor is silent.

“You don’t feel anything when you have hypertension. So people can go about their daily activities without knowing that they have very high blood pressure.”