Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Heart Disease and Sexual Health
Sexual intimacy is an important part of your well-being. After heart surgery or a damaging heart occurrence (cardiac event), you may be worried about being sexually active. If you or your partner has any worries or questions about sexual activity, be sure to discuss them with your health care provider. Most people can continue to have an active sex life after heart surgery or a cardiac event.
When can I resume sexual activity?
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If you had a heart attack, you may be able to have sex after 2 weeks.
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If you had a complicated cardiac event or heart surgery, you may have to wait up to 8 weeks before resuming sexual activity.
Ask your health care provider when it is safe for you to resume sexual activity.
How do I know when I am ready to resume sexual activity?
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Your physical comfort.
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Your mental readiness.
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Your sexual habits.
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Pain in your chest, neck, or arm (angina).
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Shortness of breath.
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Excessive tiredness.
To check whether you are ready to resume sexual activity, your health care provider may have you take an exercise test. This test involves using a treadmill or stationary bike while your blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm are monitored. The test shows how your heart handles activity.
What do I need to know about sexual activity after a cardiac event?
Medicines
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Certain prescription medicines can affect sexual function. They can decrease your desire for sex, decrease vaginal wetness (vaginal lubrication), make it hard to get or maintain an erection, or make it difficult to have an orgasm. If you have any of these problems while taking a medicine, do not stop taking the medicine. Talk with your health care provider about the problem.
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Talk with your health care provider before taking any herbs, supplements, or vitamins. They can interfere with prescription medicines and heart function.
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If you are thinking about starting birth control, discuss it with your health care provider first. This is important.
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If you take medicine for sexual dysfunction, avoid medicine such as nitroglycerin or long-acting nitrate medicine for 24–48 hours. Taking a medicine for sexual dysfunction and a nitrate medicine together can cause a serious drop in blood pressure.
Intimacy
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Choose a relaxing atmosphere at a time when you feel rested and relaxed.
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Talk openly and honestly with each other.
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Be patient with each other.
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Start slowly, and gradually increase intimacy. You can increase intimacy by doing such things as caressing, touching, and holding each other.
Follow these instructions at home:
Lifestyle
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Consider participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program or getting regular exercise. This can benefit your sex life by building strength and endurance.
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Ask your health care provider what exercises are safe for you.
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Eat a healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, less red meat, and fewer high-fat dairy products. If you eat meat and dairy, choose lean meats and low-fat dairy products.
Sexual activity
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Avoid having sex after a heavy meal.
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Avoid having too much alcohol before sex.
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Ask your partner to take a more active role during sex.
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If you have angina during sex, stop having sex and take nitroglycerin as told by your health care provider. If your symptoms do not go away within 5–10 minutes, get help right away. This is important.
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If you have angina during sex and have taken medicine for erectile dysfunction, do not take nitroglycerin. You should stop having sex, rest, and wait 5–10 minutes. If your symptoms do not go away within 5–10 minutes, get help right away.
Where to find more information
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American Heart Association: www.heart.org
Contact a health care provider if:
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You are feeling depressed.
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You have pain during sex.
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You are having trouble returning to sexual activity.
Get help right away if:
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You have severe chest discomfort, especially if the pain is crushing or pressure-like and spreads to your arms, back, neck, or jaw. Do not wait to see if the pain will go away.
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You have angina that does not get better with medicine or rest and lasts for longer than 5–10 minutes.
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You have shortness of breath.
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You feel dizzy or light-headed during or after sexual activity.
These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Summary
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Ask your health care provider when it is safe for you to resume sexual activity.
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Consider participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program or getting regular exercise. This can benefit your sex life by building strength and endurance.
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When you decide to have sex, start slowly, and gradually increase intimacy.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
