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Sexual Benefits in Cardiac Patients

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Sexual Benefits in Cardiac Patients

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Sexual life has benefits for heart patients as it reduces stress and anxiety. This article details how people with heart problems can have a good sexual life.

Written by

Dr. Asha. C

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Raveendran S R

Published At July 22, 2022
Reviewed AtDecember 1, 2022

Introduction

Sex is part of a healthy life. It is normal to feel concerned about having sex if a person has a heart condition. However, most people with cardiac problems can still have an active and healthy sex life. If the heart failure is mild, the doctor will suggest that sex is safe for a person's heart. But if the heart failure is more severe, the doctor will likely check the health of the patient to make sure sex is safe for them. Sex does not trigger heart issues, such as a heart attack or any other activity.

Is Sex Safer for People With Heart Problems?

In patients with heart failure, physical activity may make them tired or short of breath. Sex is also a moderate form of exercise. So it is common for people with a heart problem to worry that sex may worsen their heart condition, especially after a procedure or surgery. Medications for heart failure may reduce the sex drive. More than 50 percent of people with heart failure have less sex life or none at all because of their heart problem.

Being sexually active is essential for staying connected with the partner and maintaining a healthy quality of life. A cardiac rehabilitation plan can help to maintain a healthy sex life if a person has cardiac problems. A cardiac rehabilitation program includes counseling, education, and physical activity. It improves heart health, builds stamina after a heart event, and can reduce the risk of sex-related complications in people with heart failure.

Sex can rarely cause heart attacks, so it is good to skip sex until a doctor suggest that the heart condition is stable. It is essential to take all the medications as directed by the healthcare professionals and not skip medicine due to the fear of sexual side effects. It is also important not to use supplements or over-the-counter medicines to boost sex drive. If a heart patient experience any sexual difficulties, feel free to talk with a doctor. They can provide helpful tips on how to resume sex safely.

What Are the Factors That Contribute to Sexual Issues in a Heart Patient?

Heart problems can also increase the risk of developing sexual issues. It is because heart disease and its treatments change the way of blood flow throughout the body and may decrease the amount of blood supply to the distant areas of the body, including the genital region. If the blood flow is reduced, it can lead to sexual arousal difficulties in women and erectile dysfunction in men. Cardiovascular disease symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath, can also interfere with sexual performance. Having multiple chronic health conditions like diabetes, cancer, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), etc., and the side effects of some medications might also disrupt sexual activity.

Other factors that contribute to sexual issues include:

  • Fear of safety due to cardiac problems.

  • Emotional distress.

  • Behaviors like smoking, alcohol abuse, inadequate sleep, and physical inactivity.

  • Relationship problems.

What Are the Benefits of Sex on Heart Health?

Sex can be the best way to fight against depression caused by cardiac issues. Being intimate is very healthy as it reduces anxiety and stress, and promotes emotional well-being that contributes to a healthy heart. Many studies also show that sex can reduce stress to boost emotional health, and lowers blood pressure. In addition, intimacy with the partner in a relationship can increase bonding that can reduce the feeling of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, which have been linked to higher heart disease risk.

How to Know if an Individual Is Healthy Enough to Have Sex?

The biggest fear regarding sex for most people with cardiac problems is being worried that sex can cause a heart attack. But, usually, sexual activity does increase the heart rate. If a heart patient is able to jog or walk a mile or climb stairs without difficulty, then it is safe for them to have sex.

The possibility of having a heart attack during sex is extremely low, and it should not be a worry. As long as an individual is not experiencing symptoms, sexual activity is not a concern. However, it is good to abstain from heavy physical exertion, including sex, until consulting a doctor if a person has heart problem symptoms such as:

  • Chest pain.

  • Irregular heartbeat.

  • Shortness of breath.

  • Nausea or indigestion.

How to Make Sex Easier on a Person With a Heart Issue?

Sexual activity can make a person's heart work harder. So few steps can be followed to make sex easier on persons with heart problems.

  • Take good rest before having sex.

  • Avoid sexual activity when a person is under stress, when it is very hot and humid, and just after a meal.

  • Avoid drinking alcohol for at least three hours before sex.

  • Stop and take a rest if there is trouble breathing.

  • Try other ways to be intimate that do not make the heart work so hard. These include cuddling, hugging, and kissing.

  • Stop immediately if a person has chest pain or pressure, feels lightheaded, has a fast heartbeat, or has palpitations during sex.

What Does a Person Need to Be Aware of When Diagnosed With Heart Disease?

awareness

  • It is good to get a doctor's advice before resuming sexual activity.

  • Cardiac rehabilitation and physical activity can reduce the risk of complications related to sexual activity in a heart failure patient.

  • If a woman is planning to start birth control or get pregnant, it is essential to discuss it with the doctor before making any decision.

  • If an individual is experiencing sexual dysfunction, check with a doctor to find if it is related to cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, or other factors.

  • Do not skip any drugs that could improve heart symptoms if a person feels that might impact the sex drive or function.

  • Drugs to treat erectile dysfunction are normally safe. But it should not be taken if a person is receiving nitrate therapy for heart pains due to coronary artery disease.

  • It is normally safe to use estrogen topically or vaginally inserted for the treatment of painful intercourse in post-menopausal women with cardiac diseases.

Conclusion

Many people with cardiac problems are afraid of resuming their sexual life because they fear worsening their heart problems. Sex can be helpful for the heart as it can reduce depression and anxiety and lowers blood pressure. If the health condition is better, with advice from the cardiologist, sexual activity can be resumed. Also, cardiac rehabilitation and physical activity can reduce the risk of complications related to sexual activity in a heart failure patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

How Does Heart Disease Affect Sexual Function?

In heart disease patients, the blood flow to the organs is not even. The flow of blood to the genital areas is very low, which affects the sexual desire and performance of the individual. Sex is the best way to fight depression. Being intimate with a partner is healthy as it decreases stress and promotes emotional well-being that contributes to a healthy heart. Sex can boost emotional health and lower blood pressure. Intimacy with the partner reduces the feeling of anxiety, loneliness, and depression, which is linked to higher heart disease risk.

2.

How Is Sexual Arousal Good for the Heart?

Endorphins are happy hormones or feel-good hormones that can counter depression and anxiety. Sex is great for overall health and also for heart health. Healthy sex boosts heart health. Research suggests that sexual intercourse lowers systolic blood pressure. A good sex life can help the female and male sex hormones balance. Men who had sex at least twice a week are less likely to die of heart disease than men who had rarely.

3.

Do Cardio Exercises Increase Sexual Stamina?

Exercising on a regular basis helps improve sexual function. People who exercise regularly less often suffer from sexual dysfunction. Some exercises are better than others for sexual health. Moderate to vigorous activity throughout the week can improve overall cardiovascular health.

4.

Is Masturbation Healthy?

Masturbation is a normal sexual activity where people touch sensitive areas or genitals for sexual arousal and pleasure, common in both men and women. Masturbation is like taking a happy pill. During the process, the person can experience a surge of serotonin and dopamine, which are happy hormones that are normally released in the brain after masturbation. Oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine are feel-good hormones released after masturbation that boost satisfaction, lift spirits, and activate the reward circuits in the brain.

5.

Does Lack of Sex Affect the Heart?

Sexual activity stimulates the release of happy hormones in the body. These hormones include dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These hormones promote mood and make the person stay motivated and feel good. Decrease in sexual activity. Endorphins can counter depression and anxiety because depression and anxiety are risk factors for heart disease.

6.

How Can One Make the Heart Strong?

The following methods can be followed to make the heart strong -
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain and balance weight
- Quit smoking
- Eating heart-healthy foods such as (omega-3 fatty acids, lentils, kidney beans, nuts, seeds, and eggs)
- Reduce stress

7.

Can a Person Have Sex With High Blood Pressure?

Yes, a person can have sex with high blood pressure. Having sex does not cause any immediate health problems, such as heart attacks. High blood pressure can affect satisfaction with sex. Women who have reduced sexual satisfaction have high blood pressure. Because high blood pressure is related to conditions like atherosclerosis (accumulation of fibrofatty tissue inside the blood vessels). The blood flow to the genital organs is relatively low compared to healthy individuals. So, high blood pressure can affect a person’s sexual performance.

8.

What Percent of Heart Attacks Happen During Sex?

Sex is not a major contributor to heart attacks. The possibility of a heart attack is extremely low while having sex. Sex can rarely cause heart attacks. Sex can increase the heart rate because it releases neurotransmitters in the body. But people with stable heart disease need not worry about the heart disease risk. It is safe to have sex because The possibility of having a heart attack during sexual activity is very low.

9.

Does Heart Rate Increase During Sex?

People with stable heart disease need not worry about the risks of a heart attack. If a person is able to climb stairs or jog properly, it is safe for them to have sex. An average of 15 minutes of sex, The heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate increase during sex. The increase is, however, mild and remains at safe levels. It is equivalent to moderate exercise. However, unstable heart patients should always consult with a doctor before engaging in physical activities.

10.

How Can a Weak Heart Become Strong?

The following steps can be followed for a strong heart-
- Regular exercise
- Restricting carbohydrates and taking vegetables and fruits
- Lifestyle modifications like a balanced diet and exercise, including yoga
- Breathing deeply
- Limit alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Avoid more sodium-containing foods

11.

Is Heart Disease Sex Linked?

No heart disease is not sex-linked. The risk factors for heart disease include-
- High blood pressure
- Low-density lipoprotein
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
- Eating high saturated fats and cholesterol
- Not enough physical activity
- Tobacco and alcohol

12.

Can Sex Cause Heart Palpitations?

Sex can increase heart rate. It is not much like an exercise. It does not burn calories during an average sexual activity. Regular sex can be rewarding for an overall healthy lifestyle. It makes the person happier and less stressed because sex can release happy hormones in the body like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.

13.

How Can Someone Test the Heart at Home?

Heart rate can be checked by checking the pulse. Each pulse matches the heartbeat. The heartbeat pumps the blood through the veins. The strength of the blood flow and pressure can be assessed by checking the pulse, which can be done at home. To measure the pulse, follow the below steps-
- Place the index and middle finger on the hand on the inner wrist of the arm below the base of the thumb. The person can feel the tapping sound against the fingers.
- The number of taps should be counted for ten seconds.
- This count is multiplied by six to find the heart rate for one minute.
Dr. Raveendran S R
Dr. Raveendran S R

Sexology

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