Cardiovascular Patients' Sexual Health Care
Cardiovascular Patients' Sexual Health Care
Common cardiovascular diseases include hypertension, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and arterial stenosis. Patients with cardiovascular diseases often suffer from sexual dysfunction due to fear and anxiety. When one partner has cardiovascular disease, the healthy partner may also experience similar fears, suppressions, and anxieties, inevitably affecting sexual function. Due to changes in vascular tone and blood vessels themselves, patients with cardiovascular diseases often have insufficient blood supply to penile tissue, leading to erectile dysfunction. Additionally, medications used to treat cardiovascular diseases—such as methyldopa, thiazide diuretics, and β-blockers—can also cause sexual dysfunction.
The sudden death of Ximen Qing during intercourse in "The Golden Lotus" is known as "sudden death from sexual excitement," which actually refers to sudden cardiac death triggered by sexual activity. Patients with cardiovascular diseases are often fearful of sex, fearing death from "sudden death." Scientific experiments confirm that during male orgasm, systolic pressure increases by 40–100 mmHg, diastolic pressure rises by 20–50 mmHg, respiration exceeds 40 breaths per minute, and heart rate increases by 50–100 beats per minute above normal. Energy expenditure during sexual activity varies greatly; reports indicate that most cases of sudden death during intercourse occur outside marital relationships. The excessive excitement and intense physical exertion involved in non-marital sexual encounters are often more harmful than intercourse itself.
In reality, after developing cardiovascular disease, there is no need to excessively avoid sexual activity. Coronary heart disease is not an absolute taboo for sexual life. As long as sexual activity is reasonably arranged and adequate rest is ensured, and when treating cardiovascular diseases, medications with minimal impact on sexual function are preferred, any signs of sexual inhibition should be promptly reported to doctors for early intervention. Under conditions of proper medication, appropriate rest, and stable condition, moderate sexual activity can be safely scheduled. During intercourse, use energy-saving positions, gentle and smooth movements, avoiding vigorous exercise.
For patients who have suffered myocardial infarction, sexual activity should only be considered six months after full recovery from acute myocardial infarction. If palpitations, rapid heartbeat, significant tachycardia, shortness of breath, or even heart failure occur after intercourse, sexual activity should be postponed until symptoms have completely disappeared for some time. If chest pain occurs during intercourse, stop immediately and take nitroglycerin or similar drugs. Postpone resuming sexual activity if suffering from other infections or fever. After returning to normal sexual activity, temporarily avoid intercourse during significant temperature changes. Avoid sexual activity within 2–3 hours after drinking alcohol, after strenuous exercise, after work fatigue, mental stress, or poor emotional state.
Coronary heart disease patients should avoid overly frequent intercourse, keep sessions brief, avoid excessive effort, and preferably adopt energy-saving positions such as semi-reclining or sitting, which reduce left ventricular expansion and prevent angina attacks. Lateral positions are convenient and require little effort for both partners. Coronary heart disease patients should keep emergency medicines like nitroglycerin readily available beside the bed in case of emergencies.
Patients with hypertension should arrange sexual activity reasonably based on stable blood pressure levels to avoid unexpected incidents, especially paying attention to rhythm, intensity, and position during intercourse.