Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Heart Healthy Enough for Sex?
Content

Ask An Expert

Heart Healthy Enough for Sex?

Toni J. Brayer

Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

California Pacific Medical Center

Question:

How do I know if my heart is healthy enough for sex?

Answer:

This is a common question from anyone who has had a heart attack or has been diagnosed with a heart problem. The Scientific Journal, Circulation, reported on thousands of patients with coronary artery disease who had suffered a heart attack and found that the risk of a second heart attack from sexual activity was very low, if the person was physically active.

During foreplay, the blood pressure and heart rate increase mildly. The greatest increases occur during the 10-15 seconds of orgasm, with rapid return to baseline thereafter. Men and women have similar cardiac responses to sexual activity.

In a study of 5559 instances of sudden death, 34 (0.6%) reportedly occurred during sexual intercourse. Two other studies also showed low rates. Of these subjects, 82%-93% were men and the majority (75%) were having extramarital sexual activity with a younger partner, in an unfamiliar setting and/or after excessive food and alcohol consumption. The increase in absolute risk of sudden death associated with one hour of additional sexual activity per week is estimated to be <1 per 10,000 person-years.

Here is good advice:

1. If you can exercise without angina and pass an exercise stress test, you can safely have sex.

2. Increasing exercise and controlling weight, blood pressure and other risk factor for cardiac disease also help your ability to have safe sexual activity.

3. If you have had a heart attack, cardiac rehabilitation reduces further risk or complications with sexual activity.

4. Do not take any performance-enhancing medication without talking with your physician. Some of them can cause a drop in blood pressure if you are on cardiac medication.

Related Questions

Question
  • Thyroid Disease and Heart Disease Correlation
    Thyroid disease and heart disease have a high correlation. Why don't heart patients routinely get an endocrine work up?
  • Pacemaker and Exercise
    I had a pacemaker inserted a year ago. It keeps dropping down and looks like the wires are about to pop out. I've asked my cardiologist about it several times and he said it's fine and should not drop anymore. I exercise 5x/week. Is that too much?
  • Abnormal Heart Rhythm Tests
    My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the cardiologist looking for?
  • Antioxidants and Heart Health
    Can antioxidants help prevent a heart attack?
  • Should High Blood Pressure Medication Be Changed?
    I take medication for high blood pressure. My current numbers are 138/87 to 140/94. Is that okay or should my medication be changed? It's been over a year since I started taking the medication.

Back to Heart Health

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences