Medical conditions.
Illnesses that involve the
cardiovascular system,
high blood pressure,
diabetes, hormonal
problems, depression, or
anxiety can affect sex
drive and function. You
can talk to your doctor
about strategies to combat
these issues.
Medications. Certain
medications can inhibit
your sexual response,
including your desire for
sex, your ability to
become aroused and your
orgasmic function. You
can talk to your doctor
about switching to a
different medication with
fewer sexual side effects.
Sex after a heart attack
Many older adults with heart
disease—or who’ve suffered a
past heart attack—are less
sexually active than they used
to be or even stop having sex
completely, often fearing that
sex may trigger another heart
attack. However, for most
people it is still possible to
enjoy an active sex life with
heart disease.
According to a recent study,
for every 10,000 people who
have sex once a week, only two
or three will experience
another heart attack, and their
risk of dying during sex is
extremely low.
Check with your doctor
before resuming sexual
activity.
Participate in a cardiac
rehabilitation program to
improve your fitness.
If you can exercise hard
enough to work up a light
sweat without triggering
symptoms, you should be
safe to have sex.
Wait to have sex if you
have advanced heart
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