Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Location
  • Donate Now
  • Patient Login
    • Sign In to My Health Online
    • Enroll in My Health Online
    • Learn About My Health Online
    • Open Choose a medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • BOOK APPOINTMENT
  • Book Appointment
  • Profile
Book Appointment
Walk-In Care

In-person care for minor illnesses.

Urgent Care

In-person care for moderate illnesses and injuries.

Video Visits

Virtual care with a Walk-In Care clinician.

Primary Care

Ongoing care and wellness for everyone.

COVID-19

Resources for vaccination and boosters.

Patient Login
  • Sign In to My Health Online
  • Enroll in My Health Online
  • Learn About My Health Online
  • Patients and Visitors

    Patients and Visitors

    Get personalized, coordinated care across Northern California through the Sutter network.

    View Patient Resources
    My Health Online

    Make appointments, message your doctor and more through our patient portal.

    Enroll Now
    • Find a DoctorFind a Doctor
    • Find a LocationFind a Location
    • View All ServicesView All Services
    • Request RecordsRequest Records
    • Pay a BillPay a Bill
    • Check SymptomsCheck Symptoms
    Patient Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Patient and Visitor Information
    • My Health Online Patient Portal
    • Classes and Events
    • Doctor Referrals
    • Health and Wellness
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
    Billing and Insurance
    • Pay a Bill
    • Accepted Health Plans
    • Cost Estimates/Charges
    • Medicare Advantage
    • Sutter Health Plus
  • Treatments and Services

    Treatments and Services

    Access award-winning, comprehensive primary and specialty care for your whole family.

    View All Services
    Schedule a Visit

    Convenient care options for your everyday health needs.

    Book Appointment
    Get Care
    • Primary CarePrimary Care
    • Video VisitsVideo Visits
    • Walk-In CareWalk-In Care
    • Urgent CareUrgent Care
    • Emergency CareEmergency Care
    Featured Services
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy and Childbirth
    • Imaging
    • Pediatrics
    • Orthopedics
    • Cancer
    • Heart and Vascular
     
    • Dermatology
    • Physical Therapy
    • Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
    • Labs
    • Urology
    • Neuroscience
    • Women's Health (OB/GYN)
    • View All Services
  • Research and Education

    Research and Education

    Our contributions to medical research and education lead to better healthcare outcomes.

    Research at Sutter
    Graduate Medical Education

    Join our robust training programs led by nationally known healthcare leaders.

    Explore Opportunities
    Research
    • Clinical TrialsClinical Trials
    • Research StudiesResearch Studies
    • PublicationsPublications
    • InvestigatorsInvestigators
    Education
    • Residencies and Fellowships
    • Continuing Medical Education
  • About Sutter

    About Us

    Explore the ways we provide innovative, compassionate care through our network.

    Learn About Sutter Health
    Work at Sutter Health

    Shape the future of healthcare and build your career within our diverse teams.

    Find Jobs
    About Sutter Health
    • About Us
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Awards and Honors
    • Leadership
    • Annual Report
    • News and Media
    • Patient Stories
    • Business Programs
    Community
    • Giving
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Community Benefit
    Careers
    • Jobs at Sutter
    • Physician Opportunities
    • Residencies and Fellowships
  • BOOK APPOINTMENTBook Appointment
Logo
  • Patients and Visitors
  • Treatments and Services
  • Research and Education
  • About Sutter
Find a DoctorFind a DoctorFind a LocationFind a LocationContact UsContact UsDonate NowDonate Now
BOOK APPOINTMENT
  • My Health Online Patient LoginMy Health Online Patient Login
  • Set My LocationSet My Location
Logo
  • Find a DoctorFind a Doctor
  • Find a LocationFind a Location
  • View All ServicesView All Services
  • Request RecordsRequest Records
  • Pay a BillPay a Bill
  • Check SymptomsCheck Symptoms
Patient Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Patient and Visitor Information
  • My Health Online Patient Portal
  • Classes and Events
  • Doctor Referrals
  • Health and Wellness
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Billing and Insurance
  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Cost Estimates/Charges
  • Medicare Advantage
  • Sutter Health Plus

Patients and Visitors

Get personalized, coordinated care across Northern California through the Sutter network.

View Patient Resources
My Health Online

Make appointments, message your doctor and more through our patient portal.

Enroll Now
Patient
My Health Online

Make appointments, message your doctor and more through our patient portal.

Enroll Now
Logo
Get Care
  • Primary CarePrimary Care
  • Video VisitsVideo Visits
  • Walk-In CareWalk-In Care
  • Urgent CareUrgent Care
  • Emergency CareEmergency Care
Featured Services
  • Mental Health
  • Pregnancy and Childbirth
  • Imaging
  • Pediatrics
  • Orthopedics
  • Cancer
  • Heart and Vascular
  • Dermatology
  • Physical Therapy
  • Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
  • Labs
  • Urology
  • Neuroscience
  • Women's Health (OB/GYN)

Treatments and Services

Access award-winning, comprehensive primary and specialty care for your whole family.

View All Services
Schedule a Visit

Convenient care options for your everyday health needs.

Book Appointment
Logo
Research
  • Clinical TrialClinical Trials
  • Research StudiesResearch Studies
  • PublicationsPublications
  • InvestigatorsInvestigators
Education
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Continuing Medical Education

Research and Education

Our contributions to medical research and education lead to better healthcare outcomes.

Research at Sutter
Graduate Medical Education

Join our robust training programs led by nationally known healthcare leaders.

Explore Opportunities
Research
Graduate Medical Education

Join our robust training programs led by nationally known healthcare leaders.

Explore Opportunities
Logo
About Sutter Health
  • About Us
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Awards and Honors
  • Leadership
  • Annual Report
  • News and Media
  • Patient Stories
  • Business Programs
Community
  • Giving
  • Volunteer With Us
  • Community Benefit
Careers
  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Opportunities
  • Residencies and Fellowships

About Us

Explore the ways we provide innovative, compassionate care through our network.

Learn About Sutter Health
Work at Sutter Health

Shape the future of healthcare and build your career within our diverse teams.

Find Jobs
Career
Work at Sutter Health

Shape the future of healthcare and build your career within our diverse teams.

Find Jobs
  • 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
  • Should I See a Cardiologist for Heart Palpitations?
    Are heart palpitations a serious symptoms for someone 62 years old and in good physical shape? My PCP did an ECG and a Holter monitor exam, and suggested I see a cardiologist. Do I need to?
  • Heart Disease and Air Pollution
    Living in smoggy air in Northern California has certainly made my asthma worse. Could it also be doing any damage to my heart?
  • Is Douching Necessary After Intercourse?
    I'm 41 and have had my tubes tied/clamped. I'm in a committed relationship so we do not use condoms and are rather sexually active. Is there any need to douche? I never have, and have heard conflicting opinions from friends.
  • Heart Palpitations and Chest Pain
    I've had an eating disorder for 10 years. One of the main problems that seem to continue is heart palpitations, which I've had daily for three months. Tests (Holter, ECHO, EKG) show that I have palpitations, but no other problems. I also have chest pains
  • What is a Cardiac Fat Pad?
    I had a chest x-ray because of allergy symptoms. The doctor who read the x-ray said because of a cardiac fat pad in my right lobe, it was hard to tell if I had pneumonia. What is a fat pad, is this something that should concern me, and can I exercise?

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.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Book Appointment
  • Request Medical Records
  • Donate Now
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News and Media

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

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