Routes to a healthy heart:
Sex after your heart attack

Nine simple ways to reduce your risk of another heart attack: Eat a healthy diet Take more exercise Loose excess weight Stop smoking Drink less alcohol Reduce high blood pressure Reduce high cholesterol levels If diabetic, maintain good control of blood glucose levels Keep taking your prescribed medication

Resuming sexual activity is an important part of getting your life back to normal after a heart attack. This, however, could also be the source of fear and anxiety for you and your partner. Many people are worried that the sex will be too strenuous and cause another heart attack. Your partner may feel even more apprehensive: if something happens, the guilt could be hard to bear.

Sexual intercourse is rated as mild-to-moderate exercise (the equivalent of briskly walking half a mile or climbing a few flights of stairs). If you can tolerate exercise, then you are probably physically ready for sex. Most guidelines recommend that heart attack patients resume usual sexual activity as soon as they feel ready for it. If, however, you have three or more of the major risk factors for a heart attack (age, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol and a sedentary lifestyle) it may be a good idea to refrain from sexual intercourse until you have had a chance to discuss the matter with your physician.

 

Here are some general guidelines for couples resuming sex:

• Talk about your fears and worries with your partner openly.
    
• Discuss the matter with your doctor if you have any concerns.
    
• Choose a time when you're rested, relaxed and free from the stress brought on by the day's activities. Select a familiar, peaceful setting that's free from interruptions.
    
• Avoid strenuous positions – adopt a less demanding role during intercourse for the first few weeks.
    
• Do not engage in sex within half an hour of eating.
    
• If you are upset, fatigued or stressed, sexual activity should probably be avoided.
    
• If sex brings on angina pains, shortness of breath or extreme fatigue, then you should consult your doctor before resuming sexual activity. It may be possible to prevent angina pains using nitroglycerin tablets. Regular exercise, such as walking, bicycling or jogging, can also help prevent angina pains during sexual activity.
    
• Certain heart medications may interfere with libido and performance. Check with your physician if you have any concerns.
    
• After recovering from a heart attack, some patients may feel depressed. This usually passes off after a few months. Unfortunately, such depression can magnify any sexual problems between partners. Again, discuss things fully and openly with your partner.
    
• Remember that the pattern of your renewed sexual activity will depend on the pattern before your heart attack occurred.
    
• If you encounter long-term problems, then you could perhaps visit a counsellor or perhaps you and your partner may wish to undergo counselling for couples.