Heart-safe sex

Heather Little-White, PhD, Contributor

The heart plays a very important part in relationships and should be preserved and protected if you want to have an active sex life even in your senior years. One of the biggest fears that some persons have is getting a heart attack, and while it may seem irrational, it is real and the thought frightening.

Having a heart attack does not mean that your sex life should end. While the heart patient maybe willing to resume sexual intercourse, very often it is their spouse who is reluctant to try. As part of the recovery process, cardiologist should spend some time in educating the patient, giving specific, practical advice about sex while recovering. After a heart attack, the patient is usually in a state of uncertainty and do not even raise questions about sex. Today's research is promising and provides more information on sexual activity after a heart attack and heart surgery.

Media hype

Some recovering heart patients often feel that they may die during sexual intercourse, especially when this is perpetuated by what they read, see on television or hear in sex jokes. However, the risk of death is highly unlikely as research has shown that up to 80 per cent of recovering heart-attack patients can safely have sex while recovering from a heart attack.

Contrary to popular belief, sexual intercourse requires much less energy than most people think. Your choice of positions and intensity will make the difference. It has been shown that among middle-aged couples who make love with their usual partner in a familiar setting, the top heart rate rarely exceeds 120 beats per minute, a rate less than playing doubles tennis or mowing the lawn. If a person engages in sex with someone other than his or her spouse, especially if the other person is 18 years younger or more, the risk of heart attack is greater. Alcohol consumption also increase the risk of heart attack.

Chest pains

You may not have suffered a heart attack, but while having sex you may experience chest pains (angina) from heart disease. You should visit your doctor immediately and undergo a series of cardiac tests, including an exercise stress test. Cardiologists advise taking an angina drug shortly before sex to reduce both the pain and the fear of sex.

You may be wondering how long you have to wait before resuming sex after a heart attack, or heart surgery. One cannot prescribe the same approach to all heart patients, but cardiologists advise that heart patients should wait between three weeks to three months before resuming sex. Of importance, is the physical condition of the patient who may find it difficult to climb even two flights of stairs at a brisk pace.

Tenderness

As unrelated as it may seem, there is a very close association between a sense of emotional closeness and tenderness that comes from sexual contact such as touching, cuddling and just engaging in gentle conservation. This is one way of easing depression and anxiety about life, factors which could lead to a heart attack.

Medications may delay you resuming sex after a heart attack as they may interfere with sexual functioning. Some drugs are sedatives and high blood pressure and anti-depressant medications may dampen your interest in sex. Any side effects you experience from medication should be reported to your doctor immediately so that the dosage can be lowered or changed.

Guidelines for heart-safe sex

Dr Chris Papadopoulos, chief cardiologist at South Baltimore General hospital, recommends the following actions after a heart attack or surgery:

Go easy: Your first attempt at sex should be gentle and you should not attempt sexual intercourse. You can still gain satisfaction from gentle non-genital touching and other sexual delights over a period to build up to penetration. If these activities do not cause heart palpitations, chest pain or shortness of breath, it is safe to move to penetration.

Rest: You should never engage in sexual penetration if you are feeling tired. Men feel better and get a firmer erection when they wake in the morning or just after taking a nap during the day.

Dress comfortably: Wearing comfortable clothing in a familiar setting, such as your home or bedroom, reduces sexual anxiety. Ensure the room temperature is comfortable, not too hot or too cold as these extremes could place additional pressure on the heart.

Do not treat sex like dessert: You should not attempt sex after having a heavy meal as sex places additional burden on the heart. Wait at least two or three hours after a meal, delaying your dessert and having sex just before. You should not have sex for three to four hours after consuming alcohol.

Forget gymnastics: You may be anxious to get into satisfying sex but be careful about acrobatic sexual positions. You should choose positions with which you are comfortable and familiar. Cardiac patients should avoid the top position as a person with surgical incisions from a bypass may find it less painful in the bottom position or side. If you experience shortness of breath while lying down, try sitting in a chair with your partner in your lap.

Listen to your body: Warning signs precede a heart attack and you should take note of these and report them immediately to your doctor.

Rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing that continue for 10 to 15 minutes after intercourse

Extreme fatigue which continues into the next day

Dizziness, light headedness, irregular heartbeats, blackouts or chest pain during or after sex.

Everybody desires good health and a satisfying sex life. So during Heart Month - February - make every effort to keep your heart safe so your sexual experience can be rewarding.