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When Is It Safe To Have Sex After A Heart Attack?
Those who have experienced a heart attack may be able to engage in sexual activity safely once they can walk briskly or climb stairs without experiencing certain symptoms.
Recovery from a heart attack may be different for everyone, and people can discuss with a doctor when it is safe for them to have sex again.
This article looks at potential recovery times, tips for physical intimacy related to mental and emotional health, and any medical considerations.
The American Heart Association states that most people can resume their usual pattern of sexual activity within a few weeks after a heart attack.
Having a heart attack during sexual activity is rare. However, to reduce the risk of cardiac-related complications, it is best to take part in regular physical exercise or cardiac rehabilitation.
Sex has the same effects on the body as other forms of exercise, meaning it can be good for the heart. Becoming sexually aroused after a heart attack will not cause people harm.
It is best for people to speak with a cardiologist to find out how long they may need to wait before having sex after experiencing a heart attack.
It may be safe for people to have sex once they can resume activities requiring a certain level of exertion, such as climbing two sets of stairs, without experiencing symptoms.
The time frame may differ for each person, depending on their symptoms and whether they have a heart condition. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, many people can have sex 2–8 weeks after a heart attack.
However, if people continue to have shortness of breath or fatigue with activity, they will need to wait until this no longer occurs.
People who have undergone chest surgery will need to wait until their breastbone has fully healed before having sex. This can take 4–6 weeks.
While recovering, people can ease into physical intimacy by holding hands, kissing, and cuddling. If people experience emotional concerns around sex after a heart attack, the following tips may help:
People can reduce the risk of placing extra stress on the heart by avoiding sex in the following situations:
It is important to stop sexual activity and seek immediate medical attention if a person experiences any chest pain during sexual activity.
Medication effectsSome erectile dysfunction medications may interfere with certain drugs for heart conditions. For example, although phosphodiesterase inhibitors are safe for people with cardiovascular disease, they are unsafe to take alongside nitrate medications.
Taking erectile dysfunction medications within 48 hours of any nitrate medication, including sprays and patches, can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Herbal medications for erectile dysfunction are also unsuitable to take with heart medications.
A heart attack may affect a person's sex drive by impacting their mental health or due to side effects of certain heart medications.
Mental health and sex driveA heart attack and the recovery process may affect a person's mental health and a partner's if they have one. Anxiety, depression, and other conditions can impact sexual function.
People may find it helpful to speak with a sex counselor or therapist, who may be able to help resolve any sexual issues relating to emotional or mental well-being.
Medications and sex driveSome medications for treating heart disease or high blood pressure may cause a loss of sex drive or sexual dysfunction.
The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand notes that heart disease or the side effects of heart medication may cause a reduced sex drive or vaginal dryness. Additionally, heart disease may cause a lack of blood flow to the genital area, resulting in:
People may find that using lubricants and treatments for vaginal dryness helps. They may also try having sex before taking any blood pressure medications to prevent sexual dysfunction.
It is important that people do not stop taking any medication for a heart condition. They can discuss any side effects relating to sexual function with a doctor, who may be able to alter their dosage or suggest an alternative to prevent or reduce these.
The following are answers to commonly asked questions about sex and heart attacks.
When is it safe to masturbate or engage in oral sex?Masturbation or oral stimulation can have the same effects on the heart as sexual intercourse. People can engage in these activities after a heart attack when it is safe to have sex again.
Are there benefits of having sex after a heart attack?According to a 2020 study, resuming sex after a heart attack may help improve overall survival rates. Its findings suggest that resuming sexual activity within the first few months may link to improved long-term survival rates.
Should people with heart conditions avoid sexual intercourse?According to a 2018 article, sexual intercourse is generally safe for people with cardiovascular disease whose condition is stable.
A doctor can advise on whether sex is safe and may carry out a stress exercise test or other cardiovascular diagnostics to check.
Are there any sexual positions to avoid after a heart attack?People can choose positions that feel more comfortable and avoid those that put pressure on the chest area after open heart surgery.
Initially, people may want to choose less active positions that use less energy, such as missionary or sitting positions.
Visit our dedicated hub to learn more about a variety of sexual health topics.
People can speak with a cardiologist about when it is safe to have sex after a heart attack and heart surgery.
It may be safe to resume sexual activity once they can walk briskly or climb a few flights of stairs without experiencing symptoms such as breathlessness or tiredness.
Study Suggests Connection Between Strong Legs And Better Outcomes After Heart Attack
May 29—STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Research presented earlier this month in Prague at the Heart Failure 2023 scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology suggested stronger legs may be a key factor in faring better after a heart attack.
The findings bolster a growing body of research indicating muscle strength has a beneficial effect on avoiding heart failure following a heart attack, which occurs in between 6% and 9% of cases. Quadriceps strength has previously been associated with a reduced risk of death to coronary artery disease.
The latest study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, analyzed nearly 1,000 hospitalized patients between 2007 and 2020 with acute myocardial infarction — the medical term for a heart attack — who did not have a history of heart failure and did not develop the cardiovascular complications during their stay.
To assess quadricep strength, scientists attached a device to the patients and had each contract their muscles as hard as possible for five seconds. After averaging the strength relative to body weight for both legs, the researchers were categorized into "high" and "low" strength groups based on their results.
Heart failure rates were 22.9 per 1,000 person years — a measurement calculated by multiplying the number of people in a study by the number of years they are tracked — in the lowest-strength group. The higher strength group had a rate of 10.2 per 1,000 person years.
The researchers said each 5% of body weight increment in quadriceps strength was associated with a 11% lower likelihood of heart failure.
Over an average of 4.5 years of follow up, 67 total patients developed heart failure.
Around 800,000 people suffer heart attacks annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of those incidents are first-time events.
"Quadriceps strength is easy and simple to measure accurately in clinical practice," said Kensuke Ueno, a physical therapist at the Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and a lead author of the research. "Our study indicates that quadriceps strength could help to identify patients at a higher risk of developing heart failure after myocardial infarction who could then receive more intense surveillance."
The findings, said Ueno, could help foster a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind improved health outcomes for those who suffer heart attack.
(c)2023 Staten Island Advance, N.Y. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Common Heart Disease Medications
SOURCES:
Medscape: "lisinopril," "bisoprolol," "enalapril," "moexipril," "clopidogrel," "amlodipine," "fosinopril," "trandolapril," "enoxaparin," "benazepril," "metoprolol," "isosorbide dinitrate," "Olmesartan (Rx)," "Captopril (Rx)."
American Heart Association: "Cardiac Medications," ''Quick Tips for Taking Medications," "Types of Blood Pressure Medications," "Managing Your Medicines."
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: "Your Guide to Living Well With Heart Disease," "The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women."
''Medical Guidelines for Airline Passengers,'' Aerospace Medical Association, May 2002.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Blood Thinner Pills: Your Guide to Using Them Safely."
Mayo Clinic: "Heart Disease," "Hydralazine (Oral Route)," "Aspirin (Oral Route)," "Olmesartan (Oral Route)," "Ticagrelor (Oral Route)," "Amlodipine And Atorvastatin (Oral Route)," "Losartan (Oral Route)," "Heparin (Intravenous Route, Subcutaneous Route)," "Isosorbide Dinitrate (Oral Route, Sublingual Route)," "Quinapril (Oral Route)," "Perindopril (Oral Route)," "Nifedipine (Oral Route)," "Nitroglycerin (Oral Route, Sublingual Route)," "Amlodipine And Benazepril (Oral Route)," "Metoprolol (Oral Route)," "Amlodipine And Benazepril (Oral Route)," "Ramipril (Oral route)," "Aspirin (Oral Route)." "Ticagrelor (Oral Route)."
UpToDate: "Hydralazine: Patient drug information," "Captopril: Patient drug information," "Quinapril: Patient drug information," "Nifedipine: Patient drug information," "Ramipril: Patient drug information," "Metoprolol: Patient drug information," "Enalapril: Patient drug information."
Kaiser Permanente: "Dilatrate-SR 40 mg capsule, extended-release," "Diovan 80 mg tablet."
Cleveland Clinic: "Prasugrel oral tablets," "Eplerenone Tablets," "Hydralazine Tablets."
National Health Service UK: "Side effects of olmesartan," "Side effects of lisinopril."
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