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Your Sex Life
- Is it safe to have sex?
- Losing interest in sex
- Change in relationships
- Practical advice to minimise stress on the heart during sex
- Useful Contacts
Any serious health problem brings to light the possibility of a loss of sex life. Having a heart attack is no different. For anyone who was previously sexually active this is an important issue.
Is it safe to have sex?
Sex is a form of exercise, no more stressful to the heart than other forms of moderate exercise. If you think of sex as a physical activity then making love raises the heart rate about as much as climbing two flights of stairs. So if you can do that without any pain or breathlessness then sex should be OK.
For most people it should be possible to resume sexual activity four to six weeks after a heart attack. This applies to both sexes.
If you experience any symptoms during activity it is likely this will happen during lovemaking as well. Once these symptoms are dealt with you should also be able to resume lovemaking without any difficulty.
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Losing interest in sex
Some people lose interest in making love after a heart attack. This can be for various reasons:
- Some people are scared that sex might cause damage to their heart or that they might die during sex. This risk is actually very low.
- Anxiety and depression are known to have an adverse effect on sexual desire. It's important to keep communicating, honestly, with each other as it is easy for a partner to feel rejected when sexual intimacy changes.
- People tend to be more aware of their heart after a heart attack and this can draw attention to the natural increase in heart rate during activity.
- Some drugs which are used to treat heart attacks can cause impotence in men. Speak to your doctor if this is happening to you.
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Change in relationships
Coming to terms with a heart attack can take time and both partners will have different ways of coping. Some people feel that their role within their relationship changes, especially if one partner takes on the caring role.
Talking to your partner about how you feel and any worries you may have will make it easier for you both to deal with the situation before it becomes a problem.
Retaining closeness and intimacy within your relationship will help to overcome difficulties. Remember that you can express your feelings in many different ways, through talking but also with body language and physical contact such as kissing and cuddling. Taking the first step may be the biggest hurdle to overcoming your anxiety about resuming sexual contact.
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Practical advice to minimise stress on the heart during sex
- Avoid sex within 2 hours of a bath or a heavy meal.
- Keep the bedroom and the sheets warm. An electric blanket is helpful when it is cold.
- Don't make love if you are tired at the end of the day. Wait until the morning or choose the time of day you feel at your most refreshed and relaxed.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking or alcohol before or after sex. Alcohol may raise expectations you cannot fulfil.
- Take your time.
- Sometimes simple solutions can be found to make sex more comfortable and enjoyable e.g. using different positions.
- Avoid casual sex with an unfamiliar partner. There may be mismatches that you are not aware of that can make sex more stressful to your heart.
Although this seems limiting you will adapt quite quickly to find the best circumstances for you and your partner. Remember it's possible to maintain a healthy sex life after a heart attack.
If you or your partner have any questions or concerns regarding your sexual relationship try to talk to your doctor. If necessary he / she can refer you to a specialist for counselling. Your doctor will be used to talking about personal matters even if you aren't, so try not to feel embarrassed.
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Useful Contacts
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