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When should you resume sexual activity after a cardiovascular event?

When should you resume sexual activity after a cardiovascular event?

The fear of recurrence is often a major obstacle to resuming an active sex life.

A cardiovascular event has a major impact on sexuality. It can have adverse effects on libido, which, depending on the case, can lead to marital conflict, feelings of worthlessness and fragility, excessive mothering of the spouse with overprotection, fatigue, depression, isolation, sick leave, etc.

It is important to talk to your doctor, who will assess the actual risk, and also to discuss the issue with your spouse. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002914912004559

According to an American study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, out of more than 4,000 cardiac arrests analyzed, only 1% of cardiac arrests in men occur during sex or within 15 minutes afterward. In women, the figure drops to 0.1%.

The study also shows that patients with known and managed cardiovascular disease are no more likely than non-cardiac patients to die from cardiac arrest during sex. Therefore, in most cases, it is advisable to continue having regular sex and enjoy its protective effect on the heart.

People with implantable cardiac defibrillators may be concerned about receiving or delivering an electric shock to their partner during sexual intercourse. This situation is very rare, and there is no greater risk of electric shock during sexual activity than during any other physical activity.

However, there are red flags that must be respected if you are at high risk according to the American Princeton IV consensus: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart failure, uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, severe ventricular arrhythmias, or severe heart valve disease awaiting treatment. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38148297/

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