Sex and heart disease
Christina Campbell, MSW, RSW, Sexologist
Cardiovascular disease may change many aspects of your
life, but sexual intimacy and sex does not have to suffer
as a result.
After coronary artery bypass surgery, people often find it
more difficult to return to normal sexual activities while
other aspects of daily life such as job and family are least
problematic issues. Postsurgical discomfort, poor self-
image, and the anxiety of an overprotective partner are
frequently cited obstacles.
While physical and emotional strains of cardiovascular
disease often take a toll on a couple’s intimate activities,
there is sufficient reason to persist. “Sexual activity and
sexual function are major quality-of-life issues for both men
and women with cardiovascular disease,” says Dr. Joanne
Foody, director of cardiovascular wellness services at
Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
High blood pressure, diabetes and depression can also
interfere with sexual desire and response. Medications used
to treat cardiovascular disease can also blunt interest in
sex or cause orgasm difficulties. But don’t be tempted to
quit any of your cardiac medicines because of sexual side
effects. Dr. Foody suggests asking your doctor if you can try
a different class of drug or a different dosage because
“A healthy heart is the first prerequisite for an enjoyable
sex life”
Sex starts with a conversation – ideally with your doctor.
Dr. James Beckerman, a cardiologist at Providence Heart
and Vascular Institute in Portland, Oregon said that “ as a
care provider he does not know if his patient’s sex life is a
concern unless he asks”.
People may worry that sex will lead to a heart attack,
chest pains, shortness of breath, easy fatigue, interrupt the
recovery and so forth. Dr Beckerman believes: “if people
have undergone a successful procedure, they’re feeling
well and participating actively in a cardiac rehab program,
then further testing is usually not recommended. It’s helpful
to think about sexual activity as another type of intense
exercise… If exercise is safe for patients, then sexual
activity usually is too”.
Resources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/matters-of-the-
heart-sex-and-cardiovascular-disease
https://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/
articles/2015/02/13/sex-after-heart-bypass-surgery
https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/few-patients-get-sex-
talk-after-heart-attack/
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/
cir.0b013e3182447787
https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/after-my-heart-
attack/heart-attack-recovery/returning-to-normal-life/
relationships-and-sex
https://www.ottawaheart.ca/the-beat/2017/01/24/truth-
about-sexual-health-and-heart-disease
https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/
hsd-patient-carers/heart-disease/recovering-after-a-heart-
attack-or-surgery/sexual-relationships/
Le sexe et les maladies cardiovasculaires
Christina Campbell, MSW, RSW, Sexologue
Une maladie cardiovasculaire peut certes changer bien des
aspects de votre vie, mais votre vie sexuelle n’a pas
à en souffrir.
Après un pontage coronarien, les patients peuvent
habituellement reprendre leur routine de travail et leur
vie de famille sans trop d’ennuis, mais le retour à la vie
sexuelle normale s’avère plus délicat. Les obstacles les plus
fréquents? La douleur postopératoire, une mauvaise image
de soi et l’appréhension d’un partenaire surprotecteur.
Si les relations intimes d’un couple subissent souvent
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les séquelles d’une maladie cardiovasculaire sur le plan
physique et émotif, il ne faut pas baisser les bras pour
autant. « Pour les femmes comme pour les hommes atteints
d’une telle affection, activité sexuelle et fonction sexuelle
riment avec qualité de vie », explique la docteure Joanne
Foody, directrice des services de santé cardiovasculaire
au Brigham and Women’s Hospital, établissement affilié à
l’Université Harvard.
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