A heart attack often brings a mix of emotions, including sadness, anxiety, and fear. However, as the initial shock fades, people usually want to return to their normal lives.
اضافة اعلان
In the midst of all the advice about how to restore your heart health and protect it in the future, there is one topic that is rarely discussed: sex.
In this regard, Dr. Emily Lau, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, part of Harvard University, explained: "My patients rarely ask about sex. I admit, I don’t usually bring it up either."
However, cardiovascular diseases and their treatment can certainly affect sexual functions. Additionally, some medications used to treat common sexual issues may not be safe for those with heart problems.
Effects of Heart Diseases
The buildup of plaques in the arteries (atherosclerosis) is the root cause of most heart attacks.
Atherosclerosis can affect arteries throughout the body, including those that supply blood to the genital organs. As a result, men may experience difficulty achieving an erection.
Moreover, high blood pressure can cause sexual dysfunction by damaging the inner lining of arteries, contributing to atherosclerosis.
Additionally, common blood pressure medications sometimes lower sexual desire or make it more difficult to achieve orgasm for both men and women. Dr. Lau stated that among the different categories of medications used to treat high blood pressure, "beta-blockers" and "thiazide diuretics" are most likely to cause sexual side effects.
On the other hand, the likelihood of sexual side effects is reduced with "ACE inhibitors," "angiotensin-receptor blockers," and "calcium-channel blockers."
Precautions Regarding Medications
For most men with heart disease, medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil, are safe – with one major exception. Men taking nitrates, commonly used to treat chest pain (angina), should not take erectile dysfunction medications.
Since both erectile dysfunction medications and nitrates work by relaxing and dilating blood vessels, taking them together can cause a dangerously low drop in blood pressure.
For women, menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, can interfere with marital life. Dr. Lau explained: "Estrogen products can alleviate these symptoms. However, women with heart disease should avoid systemic estrogen, such as estrogen pills and patches."
She clarified that systemic estrogen therapies increase the risk of blood clots.
Married Life Tips After a Heart Attack
Some couples avoid intimacy after a heart attack due to the fear of another attack during sex. However, for most people, sex remains safe and is similar to other light to moderate activities, such as brisk walking or climbing two flights of stairs, as Dr. Lau explained.
If you have undergone cardiac rehabilitation – which, ideally, should start about a month after a heart attack, as strongly recommended by cardiologists – you will undergo an exercise stress test. A normal result can provide the reassurance needed to resume exercise and other activities, including sex.
After any procedure involving the insertion of a catheter into the heart through a vessel in the upper thigh, you should wait until the puncture site has fully healed before resuming sexual activity. After open-heart surgery, you should delay sexual activity until the breastbone heals, which typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. For several months afterward, avoid positions that put pressure on your chest.
If you're concerned about your ability to resume sexual activity after a heart attack, the following suggestions can help restore intimacy after the event:
Choose a time when you feel relaxed and comfortable, such as in the morning or after a nap.
Choose a comfortable, familiar location where you won’t be interrupted.
Don’t pressure yourself to engage in active sex immediately. Embracing and caressing may be a more comfortable starting point.
Talk to your partner about any concerns you have and be understanding of each other's feelings.
Harvard Heart Letter – Tribune Media Services
