Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Sex After A Heart Attack -- When Is It Safe?

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Heart Health | Sex After A Heart Attack -- When Is It Safe?

Johns Hopkins cardiologist Ty J. Gluckman, M.D. talks about a leading concern of heart attack patients.

It’s normal to be concerned about your safety following a heart attack, but unwarranted obsessions will interfere with lovemaking and rob the experience of its joy. Have you ever wondered:

Q. How long should I wait to resume sexual activity following a heart attack?

A. For most people, sex can be resumed within three to four weeks following your heart attack after having discussed it with your doctor. Whatever you do, however, don’t rush into sex with the feeling that you have to prove your sexual prowess following your heart attack. Take it slow, just as you would with any other type of activity.

Q. How dangerous is sexual activity after a heart attack?

A. For the most part, not very dangerous at all. Normal sexual activity is no more strenuous on the heart than a number of other routine physical activities, such as brisk walking, golf, or carrying 20 pounds of groceries from the car to the house.

After a heart attack, there are both physical and emotional hurdles the patient must clear in order to return to a full, active, and healthy life. The best-documented path to recovery after a heart attack begins with a supervised cardiac rehabilitation program (covered by most insurance plans and Medicare) at a hospital or medical center staffed with cardiac nurses and exercise physiologists, all working under the supervision of a cardiologist.

Q. How will a cardiac care program help?

A. Cardiac care programs have three major goals: maintain or improve one's functional capacity; improve quality of life; and prevent future heart attacks. Changes to diet, regular supervised exercise, and counseling on a variety of topics -- including sex -- are all vital components of this comprehensive approach to full recovery.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs are often referred to as medical boot camps for patients who have suffered a heart attack. In an 8- to 12-week period, patients who have suffered a heart attack are taken through a supervised exercise program (treadmill walking, stationary bicycling, strength training), provided with nutrition guidance, and taught stress management techniques. In addition, they are offered abundant encouragement to make positive lifestyle changes that will dramatically decrease the risk of a second heart attack, keeping them healthy and out of the hospital.

Therefore, when it comes to fear of death from sexual activity after a heart attack, there is little to fear. If you are able to live a physically active life, there is no reason to abstain from sexual activity. While you may be more aware of your heartbeat, breathing, and overall well-being, this is normal and will likely lessen over time.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Heart Health | Sex After A Heart Attack -- When Is It Safe?

Posted in Heart Health on January 26, 2007
Reviewed July 2009

Notify Me

Would you like us to inform you when we post new Heart Health Alerts?

Your email address:

Comments

Post a Comment

Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.

The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or MediZine LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.




Post a Comment


New to the Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Signup

User Name:


This appears next to your comment.


Email Address:

(this will not be posted)
This will be your login ID.

Password:

Confirm Password:


Receive Health Alerts?

Notify me when new comments are posted?

Comment (offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)

Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?

  • 2009 Coronary Heart Disease White Paper
    Discusses four problems resulting from coronary heart disease: heart attacks, angina, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. Read more...

  • 2009 Heart Attack Prevention White Paper
    Focuses on lifesaving strategies for preventing a first heart attack, with up-to-date information on both established and newly discovered risk factors for heart attack; screening tests that can detect a problem before a heart attack occurs; lifestyle measures and medications that can dramatically lower your risk. Read more...

  • Johns Hopkins Recipes for a Healthy Heart
    Over the years. research has shown us that diet and exercise play an important role in the prevention of heart disease. Read more…

  • 2009 Diabetes White Paper
    Shows you how to manage your diabetes and avoid complications such as foot problems and vision changes. Read more...

  • 2009 Hypertension and Stroke White Paper
    Explains how to treat your high blood pressure and prevent it from harming your health. Read more...

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

    Reference Books

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50

  • Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies

  • The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Drugs


  • (800) 829-0422

    Registered Users Log-in:

    Email:

    Password:

    Remember me
    Forgot Password?

    Become a Registered User!
    It's fast and FREE!
    The Benefits of Being A Registered User

    Health Topic Pages

    Arthritis +Add
    Back Pain & Osteoporosis +Add
    Cancer
    Caregivers | Caregiving
    Colon Cancer +Add
    Complementary Medicine
    Depression & Anxiety +Add
    Diabetes +Add
    Digestive Health +Add
    Enlarged Prostate +Add
    Exercise and Fitness
    Healthy Living +Add
    Heart Health +Add
    Hypertension & Stroke +Add
    Lung Disorders +Add
    Memory +Add
    Men's Health
    Nutrition +Add
    Prescription Drugs +Add
    Prostate Disorders +Add
    Sexual Health
    Vision +Add
    Weight Control +Add
    Women's Health
    Health Alert Special Report


    Get yours FREE: Seven Keys to Reduce Cholesterol

    FREE Johns Hopkins Special Report: Seven Keys to Reduce Cholesterol

    PLUS FREE Johns Hopkins
    Heart Health Alerts!

    YES! Send me my FREE Special Report and FREE Health Alerts YES!



    ALL NEW FOR 2009!

    1. Annual editions of The Johns Hopkins White Papers
    2. All available as instant digital downloads in PDF and Print Editions

    Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

    Heart Health


    ALL NEW!Number One of America's Best Hospitals 2009: Johns Hopkins

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been ranked #1 again in the Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals by
    U.S. News and World Report for the 19th consecutive year.


    Please visit here for more information about Johns Hopkins Patient Services

    Just Published!

    The 2009 Johns Hopkins
    White Papers now available --
    direct from America's #1 Hospital!

    Johns Hopkins White Papers

    Look to the 2009 White papers for the latest medical advances in prostate health, current findings on managing heart disease, preventing Alzheimer's, developments in treating diabetes, new research on arthritis, and much more!

    Each of our 15 White Papers provides:

    • A thorough overview of the condition, its causes, and symptoms
    • Treatment options, with a Johns Hopkins recommendation on each
    • Groundbreaking new research and a review of the latest studies
    • A glossary of medical terms you need to understand ... and much more.

    For more information, go to the Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Bookstore.


    © 2009 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com