After you have had a heart attack you may leave the hospital concerned about overdoing it. You may be worried about having sex. You may fear that sex will cause another heart attack or even death. Many couples mistakenly believe sex is risky and avoid it. Research has shown that sex puts less of a strain on the heart than most people think. Most couples can safely have sex without any problems for the heart.
Many people who have had heart attacks are treated with medicine or surgery and then return to normal lives. But in the days just after a heart attack occurs, your physical activities may be restricted. You may be told to avoid straining on the toilet, and you may be given stool softeners to reduce the need to strain. In the hospital, activities such as walking are watched closely. You may also think you need to avoid holding or caressing because you think these activities may lead to sex. These fears may strain your relationship and affect how you feel about yourself.
Sex is a normal and healthy part of relationships and is often important to how you feel about yourself. To avoid needless fear and worry, ask your healthcare provider about sex after a heart attack before you leave the hospital.
You may have an exercise test before or shortly after you leave the hospital. This test helps determine a safe level of activity for you. Sexual intercourse is considered to be mild to moderate exercise. Most people can safely resume sexual activity as soon as they leave the hospital. In some cases, your provider may advise a delay until you are stronger.
Angina is discomfort in the chest that occurs when the heart is not getting enough oxygen. It is usually caused by exertion. Angina may be felt in the upper chest under the breastbone and may travel down the left arm. It may be felt in the jaw, back, or neck instead of the chest. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to prevent. If you have chest pain during sex, talk with your provider about it. Changing your medicine may solve the problem.
Many medicines (such as those used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems) can lower your interest in sex or affect your sexual performance. Men may have trouble having erections. Both men and women may have trouble having orgasms. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your interest in or enjoyment of sex after starting a new drug or changing the dosage. Your provider can change your prescription, which may fix the problem. Don't wait too long for things to get better, and don't be embarrassed to ask questions.
Don’t use medicines to treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, unless you discuss it with your provider first. Taking an ED drug such as Viagra while you are taking nitrate medicines for chest pain could cause you to get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke.
To help you feel more comfortable about sex after a heart attack:
For more information about heart disease and sexuality, contact cardiac support groups in your region or:
The American Heart Association
Phone: 1-800-242-8721
Web site: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/.
