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A heart attack is a condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This condition requires immediate medical treatment. After recovering from a heart attack, there are several activities that may often be questioned. One of them is whether or not you can have sex.
Is it OK to have sex after a heart attack?
A study published in the journal JAMA Cardiology found a decrease in physical pleasure and disruption of regular sexual activity, which is quite common after a heart attack.
In some people, having sex after a heart attack is often avoided. One reason is fear that this will trigger a second heart attack.
But is it actually okay to have sex after a heart attack? The answer is yes, a person can resume having sex after a heart attack.
A heart attack can indeed have an impact on aspects of your life, but this does not mean that you have to completely abandon intimacy.
However, most people feel awkward talking to their doctor about sex, especially after a heart attack. This causes patients to feel afraid or hesitant to continue sexual activity.
Things that need to be considered
Quoted from the Heart Foundation page, there are several important things to pay attention to regarding having sex after a heart attack, including:
- Sex is usually a light to moderate activity. If you can climb two flights of stairs without pain or shortness of breath, you will be fine
- If you have had surgery, it is best to wait until you have completely recovered
- Avoid having sex after a big meal or when you are tired
Benefits of having sex for the heart
You need to know that sex can be one of the best ways to combat depression after a heart attack. The associate director of women’s heart health at Lenox Hill Hospital, Rachel Bond, MD, said that intimacy is actually a healthy thing.
Because, this can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve emotional well-being, which contribute to heart health.
A cardiologist at Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital, Rami Kahwash, MD, also said the same thing. Sex can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as quoted by a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology.
Apart from that, researchers also found that sex can reduce stress, improve emotional health, and lower blood pressure.
Regular sexual intercourse is also said to be an important part of quality of life and healing. These include increasing serotonin and oxytocin, the feel-good hormones. Connection and bonding between partners is part of healing.
When is the right time to have sex?
Basically, there is no standard time for when you can resume sex. Because, this depends on the severity of the heart attack and the progress achieved during the recovery period.
A patient who has a first mild heart attack and has a stent implanted soon after may be able to resume intimacy within a few weeks. This also applies to those who do not have serious complications.
Reported by the MD Web page, in fact the possibility of another heart attack during sex is very low, so there is no need to worry. This is what the researcher, James E. Muller, MD, said.
However, the effects of sexual intercourse on the cardiovascular system are very similar to those of light exercise. Specifically, this is roughly equivalent to walking 2 to 4 miles per hour on a flat surface.
Therefore, like exercise, sexual activity can temporarily increase heart risk in some people with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Don’t be embarrassed to consult the relevant doctor first regarding this matter for specific recommendations, especially for patients who experience complications.
So, that’s some information about having sex after a heart attack. If you have other questions about heart health, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor.