Not to start this out on a somber note, but cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease takes an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, the majority due to heart attacks and strokes.
It’s hard to get an accurate number on how many people are living with heart disease because many go undiagnosed until a serious incident or death occurs.
It’s normal to worry about your health and normal activities when you have a heart condition. If you or someone you love is living with cardiovascular disease, you’re likely still able to enjoy your life, including sex. But of course, it brings up a lot of questions and concerns.
That’s why we’re here to explore what sex looks like with heart disease, how it may be limited, and how to enjoy your (sex) life while living with heart disease.
*This article is not intended to be medical advice. If you have cardiovascular issues, please talk to your doctor or cardiologist about sex for your particular needs and condition.
Types of Heart Disease
First, let’s learn about heart disease and who it affects. The terms “cardiovascular disease” and “heart disease” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same.
All heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, but not all cardiovascular diseases are heart diseases. Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. For example, coronary artery disease which causes clogged arteries can cause heart conditions like heart failure and stroke. Heart disease is any condition that affects the heart’s structure and function
The main types of heart disease include:
- Heart valve disease
- Heart muscle disease
- Congenital heart defects (conditions you’re born with)
- Blood vessel disease
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
Certain lifestyle factors can increase someone’s risk of developing heart disease like smoking, drinking alcohol, and not eating a balanced diet. Because heart disease is so common, many people have a genetic predisposition to them.
No matter what type of heart disease you have and what caused it, you want to know how you can continue enjoying the best parts of life – like sex.
Sex with Heart Disease
A common fear for people with heart disease is that they’ll have a heart attack while they’re having sex.
According to Michael Blaha, M.D., M.P.H, director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, “While sexual activity does increase your heart rate, it’s not something that most people with stable heart disease should worry about. In general, if you’re able to climb stairs or jog or walk a mile without difficulty, it’s safe for you to have sex.”
The risks of having sex are pretty similar to doing any other physical activity. That being said, if you’ve had a recent cardiovascular incident or are experiencing symptoms, you may want to avoid sexual activity or wait until you have the go-ahead from your doctor.
People with certain unstable heart conditions may want to refrain from having sex:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Uncontrolled blood pressure
Another thing to keep on your radar is using erectile dysfunction medications if you have heart disease. Certain ED medications may not be safe for those with certain heart conditions, be sure to your doctor about your options.
Is Sex Good for Heart Health?
On the flip side, having sex may actually help support your heart health!
Yes cardiovascular activity is good for your cardiovascular health, but that’s not why you are and your heart may benefit from having sex.
Sex doesn’t generally require the level of aerobic activity many people assume it does. That of course depends on your *ahem* “athletic ability”. In general, exercise does help lower your blood pressure and strengthen your heart.
Although not everyone who has heart disease is older, it does get more common with age. There is a bit of stigma around having sex as an older person. But every adult who wants to have a healthy sex life should be able to have one.
So, why is sex good for your heart? And we don’t mean metaphorically!
Some studies suggest that women who reported having satisfying sex lives and men who have sex at least twice a week are less likely to have a heart attack.
During sex you release endorphins. These endorphins can help decrease depression and anxiety, both of which can increase your risk of heart disease.
Another way sex may help support your heart health is by strengthening your interpersonal relationships. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that when compared with married people, people with heart disease who were unmarried were 52% more likely to have a heart attack or die from a cardiovascular problem after four years.
While this study doesn’t exactly touch on sex, it’s safe to assume that most of these married couples were intimate in one way or another. For most people, sex is an important part of their relationship and life in general. You don’t need to deprive yourself of life’s joys unless it’s medically necessary.
When To Seek Medical Care
We hope this helped clear up any confusion and stress you may have about sex and your heart! Again, it’s generally safe to have sex if you have heart disease as long as you’re not actively experiencing symptoms.
While people with heart disease can absolutely have a normal and healthy sex life, there are a few things to look out for. It’s important to seek medical care if you’re experiencing symptoms like:
- Nausea or indigestion
- An irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
You deserve a happy, healthy, and satisfying sex life – you just may need to check with your doctor first!