How Sex Impacts Your Heart

Nearly half of adults in the United States have cardiovascular disease, so does that mean that these millions of people need to worry about sex? Not even close.

Yes, sexual activity can certainly get your heart racing, which can be concerning for some people with serious heart disease, but not for most. In fact, the boost that comes with this form of cardio activity can be a good thing.

The team here at Upper East Side Cardiology, under the direction of Dr. Satjit Bhusri, certainly understands why people may be concerned about the impact that sex can have on their cardiovascular health, and we want to shed some light on the subject here.

Stabilization is key

There are many different types of heart disease, and the first rule of thumb when it comes to sex is that the disease is stabilized. 

To illustrate this, let’s say that you’re recovering from a heart attack and you want to know when you can get the greenlight to resume sexual activity. We typically give the OK when we see that your disease is stable and that you're able to perform everyday functions, such as climbing a flight of stairs, without developing symptoms. If you can get up those stairs without becoming breathless or having chest pain, the odds are good that you can safely engage in sex.

This same concept holds true for other forms of heart disease, such as heart failure, valvular disease, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. If you have your condition under control and you’re following our instructions regarding lifestyle changes and medications, there’s every reason to believe you can enjoy an active sex life.

Common sense should prevail here — if we feel that your heart condition is stable and you’re able to enjoy other active pursuits, sex can be on the table.

Sex can be good for your heart and overall health

Sex is no small quality-of-life issue as a healthy sex life can lead to many benefits, such as improving mood and relieving stress. This stress and anxiety reduction can also benefit your cardiovascular health.

Going a step further, studies show that men who have sex at least twice a week and women who enjoy a satisfying sex life actually reduce their risks for a heart attack.

Getting the go-ahead

If you’re unsure as to whether sex is a safe activity for you, the best way to figure it out is to come see us for a full evaluation. Through testing, we can evaluate the strength and stability of your heart to determine if sex is safe. 

To get started, please contact our New York City office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to schedule an appointment. You can also call (212) 752-3464.