Resuming sex after a heart attack may help recovery

EJ Mandel
Health Day Reporter

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 (Health Day News)-Many heart attack Survivors are worried that resuming sex immediately could trigger another attack. But new research suggests that the opposite may be true.

Research from Israel resumes normal Sex Life for a few months After a heart attack It may actually increase survival.

Senior Researcher Yariv Gerber believes that some of the benefits come from the way people think.

“Sex and sexual activity are indicators of well-being,” said Gerber, director of public health at Tel Aviv University. “Resuming sexual activity immediately after a heart attack can be part of self-awareness as a healthy, functional, young and energetic person. This is generally a healthy lifestyle. It may be connected. ”

In this study, Gerber’s team collected data on about 500 sexually active people under the age of 65 who were hospitalized for a heart attack in 1992 or 1993.

During a median follow-up of 22 years, 43% of patients died. However, the study found that those who maintained or increased the frequency of sex during the first 6 months after a heart attack had a 35% lower risk of death than those who did not.

The survival benefit of having more sex is Non-Cardiovascular death-For example cancer -Researchers pointed out.

Of course, the results of this study cannot prove that returning to sexual activity immediately after a heart attack directly improves long-term survival.

New study published on September 23 European Journal of Preventive Cardiology..

As the researchers explained, sex is a type of body motion It increases heart rate and blood pressure.. Also, strenuous exercise can sometimes cause a heart attack, but regular physical activity can also reduce the risk of heart problems over time. Similarly, sex can cause a heart attack, but your risk is low motion On a regular basis, Gerber’s team pointed out.

“For this and other reasons, some patients [including younger ones] I hesitate to resume sexual activity for a long time after a heart attack, “Gerber said in a journal news release.

He also theorized that a quick return to bedroom activity after a heart attack may be a sign of a better overall recovery.

“Improved Physical fitness, Stronger spousal relationships, and the mental ability to “recover” from the initial shock of the incident within a few months are one of the possible explanations for the survival benefits observed among the maintained / increased groups. “Gerber said.

“On the other hand, patients who feel poor in their health may be less likely to start having sex again,” he said. “They may also be less likely to adhere to cancer screening tests and other preventive practices during follow-up. This is the resumption of sexual activity and cancer mortality seen in our study. May explain the strong inverse correlation between. ”

In any case, the new findings “should help reduce the patient’s concern about returning to normal levels of sexual activity immediately after a heart attack,” Gerber said.

Dr. Gaimintz manages cardiovascular health at Sandra Atlas Bathhart Hospital in Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY.

Minz said Israeli research has its limits. “This study targeted a young population of 53 years, which does not apply to older patients or women. Since 90% of patients are male, female representation was inadequate.”

He said that after a heart attack, patients should discuss frankly with their doctors about returning to sexual activity. Heart rate Blood pressure that can affect the heart “

Still, for many, “normalizing sexual activity improves a patient’s sense of self-worth, health, and vitality,” Mintz said. So, “the important message here is that re-engaging in sexual activity is not dangerous, but useful in the long run,” he said.