Sex and Heart Disease

You may have read in different health articles, either printed or online, that sex and heart disease do not usually go hand in hand. While this is not untrue at all, the fact remains that many cardiac patients can safely have sexual relations, and it may even be good for them. Why? Because sex is basically a sort of workout, and if exercise is good for you, then so is sex. However, just like too vigorous exercise can set the stage for a heart attack to take place, the same applies to intercourse. In both activities though, the risk of cardiac events is minimal. Regardless, it is important to keep a healthy balance.

On the other hand, there are indeed a variety of heart conditions in which sex is not advised lest you receive your doctor's authorization. Some of those conditions include angina symptoms (chest pain or pressure are a warning that the heart is not getting sufficient oxygen. A doctor should be consulted if chest pain is experienced in the midst of sex), recent heart attack (patients recovering from a cardiac episode should refrain from sex for at least two weeks), valve problems (e.g., aortic valve stenosis), and heart failure (symptoms may worsen if heartbeat races or blood pressure increases).

Another thing to keep in mind is that some heart medicines have side effects such as erectile dysfunction, including beta blockers, diuretics, and cholesterol drugs. There may be the possibility of switching to different medications, but patients should not stop treatment without their doctor's input. Conversely, erectile dysfunction medicines like Viagra online may have a negative interaction with other heart meds, as is the case of nitrates. The combination of the nitroglycerin in nitrate drugs, and the Sildenafil Citrate in Viagra online can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.