Iowa CHAMPS: Cardiac Rehabilitation Guide: Exercise
Sex and Heart Disease
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
First Published: Unknown
Last Revised: October 2004
The myths surrounding sex and heart disease are numerous. One of the most common is that sex often brings on a heart attack or sudden death. To the contrary! According to the American Heart Association, the risk is very low. In fact, the physical demands of sex are mild and comparable to briskly walking up two flights of stairs.
There should be a short recovery period before resuming sex. Usually a patient can resume sexual activities within four weeks after a heart attack or two to three weeks after leaving the hospital from heart surgery. The CHAMPS staff and your physician are available to answer questions concerning earlier or later resumption of sexual activity.
- If you have heart disease, have had a heart attack, or have undergone heart surgery, the American Heart Association recommends you keep these important guidelines in mind:
- If you are not sure whether you are ready for sex, ask your doctor to give you an exercise test to check your physical capacity.
- Improve and maintain good physical condition.
- Choose a time when you are rested, relaxed and free from the stressful feelings brought on by the day's schedules and responsibilities.
- Wait one to three hours after eating a full meal.
- Select familiar, peaceful setting that is free from interruptions.
- Take medicine as prescribed by the doctor.
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