Prof Alfred Doku, Head of Cardiology at the National Cardiothoracic Centre, has warned men with hypertension that abandoning their medication because of fears about erectile dysfunction could be fatal. He said the belief that all hypertension drugs cause sexual problems is a myth and that untreated high blood pressure can lead to 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,” Doku said. “And also the myth that every hypertension medication causes erectile dysfunction is not true.” He added that erectile dysfunction may stem from underlying conditions such as diabetes or hypertension itself, rather than the drugs.
Doku urged patients experiencing sexual issues while on treatment to speak with their doctors instead of stopping medication. He explained that doctors have options to adjust or change drugs to minimise side effects while maintaining blood‑pressure control. “We have different medications; we can change them, adjust them so that you can perform in the bedroom,” he said.
The warning comes amid growing concern over hypertension’s impact on younger Ghanaians. Doku noted that heart disease and stroke now account for close to 50% of deaths in Ghana, affecting people well below 50 years old. He said the shift from malaria, TB, HIV and malnutrition to hypertension‑driven cardiovascular disease marks a new public‑health challenge.
He concluded that stopping medication could lead to death from stroke or heart disease or permanent disability. Patients should consult their doctors for alternative treatments rather than self‑discontinuation.
