According to a recent study, men and women who have been diagnosed with heart disease are often less sexually active than their healthier peers. This study, comprised of survey data collected by the British Heart Foundation and University College London, indicated that men and women who had been diagnosed less than four years before their participation in the survey reported having less sex in the previous year than men and women who did not have heart problems.
How Heart Disease Affects the Body as a Whole
Heart disease affects people of both sexes, and all ages and backgrounds, and it has become the leading cause of death in the United States. More than 600,000 people die every year of heart disease, coronary heart disease (CHD) being the most common type of heart disease. Other forms of heart disease include cardiovascular disease, irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, and cardiomyopathy or weak heart muscles.
Heart disease may result from your genetic make-up, or it may be caused by your lifestyle and environment. Poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, stress and smoking may all cause heart disease. Heart disease may also occur as a result of other medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Psychological and emotional factors can also contribute to heart disease.
The effects of heart disease on the body encompass the entire body. The decrease in oxygen-rich blood flowing to organs such as the heart and lungs can lead to a general malaise and overall tiredness that leaves you winded and weary. Narrowing of the arterial walls can slow blood flow and increase pressure within the vessels, leading to high blood pressure and the accompanying symptoms of tiredness and feeling overheated. On the other hand, poor circulation can also lead to cold extremities and feelings of numbness and tingling in the hands and feet which can be quite painful. The circulation problems associated with heart disease are also directly linked to erectile dysfunction issues in men.
Many of the medications that you may be prescribed if you are diagnosed with heart disease can also have an effect on your sex life. Men and women diagnosed with heart disease, particularly congestive heart failure (CHF) are often prescribed diuretics. Diuretics are used primarily to pulls excess fluid from the body by pushing the body to produce more urine. The medications draw the excess fluid from around the heart and other areas of the body such as the lower extremities. The effect of diuretics on the body also causes the blood pressure to lower, and some diuretics, especially thiazide and those that are thiazide-like, have been reported to cause erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and even difficulty ejaculation.
Other diuretics also have an effect on male sexual function. Chlorthelidone had a negative effect on sexual function in men who were overweight, as well as those on other antihypertensive medications, though the addition of sildenafil (Viagra) countered any problems with function. Spironolactone is another diuretic with sexual side effects, including impotence and decreased libido. This particular medication mimics the structure of hormones and affects the flow of testosterone.
Another family of drugs that are often used to treat heart disease, specifically high blood pressure, are statins. Statins are a class of drugs that lower lipids in the blood by inhibiting the enzyme that plays and important part in the production of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a necessary part of your body, but excessive amounts due to poor eating habits, and lack of exercise can contribute to heart disease even in very young people. Statin drugs are often prescribed to lower cholesterol production levels, reducing bad cholesterol levels.
Statins can have some side effects, including sore and aching muscles, an increased risk of developing diabetes and liver enzyme abnormalities. Statins can also have a negative effect on male sexual function, and this factor is the top reason why many men stop taking the medication or are switched by their doctors to a different drug.
Psychological Effects of Heart Disease
The impact of heart disease on your sexual health can go beyond the physical. The psychological effects of having cardiovascular problems can lead to some mental and emotional problems that can have a profound effect on your ability to enjoy sex.
Stress is one of the leading causes of sexual dysfunction in both men and women, and the physical stress of having heart disease, as well as the psychological stress of coping with your illness, can lead to high levels of stress. High-stress levels can make it difficult to relax and be mentally involved when having sex, leading to a decreased libido and difficulty becoming aroused, among other things.
Anxiety and fear are also common emotional states for individuals who are suffering from heart disease, and these emotional states can have a profound effect on your sex life. Those who have experience with a heart attack and stroke especially may find that their worries about possibly causing more harm to themselves are keeping them from enjoying a normal and healthy sexual relationship.
Finally, depression is one of the most common psychological conditions occurring in people with heart disease. As many as 65% of coronary heart disease patients may suffer from some degree of depression. Not only can depression have an effect on your ability to enjoy intimacy with your partner, but it can also hinder your ability to heal and even worsen your condition. Long-term depression has been found to actually contribute to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Many of the same steps you would take to prevent heart disease, or to improve your condition if you are living with it, will also contribute to an improved sex life. Stress, both physical and mental, needs to be kept in check to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. There are numerous ways to reduce physical and mental stress, so you must find the best way for your individual needs whether it is meditation, exercise, sound or art therapy, or counseling.
Exercise is a vital part of any heart-healthy plan, improving circulation, strengthening muscles and other tissues, building stamina, all important physically when it comes to your sex life. Exercise also helps you keep your weight under control, improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as blood pressure levels, all key factors to a healthier heart and healthier sex life.
A heart-healthy diet is also beneficial for your sexual health, and many of the antioxidants and vitamins found in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats are vital to maintaining a healthy reproductive system.
Conclusion
The impact that heart disease has on your sex life is readily apparent when studied. Beyond the physical effects that heart disease can have on your body and its ability to participate in and enjoy sex, it also has an effect on your mental abilities to relax and enjoy a healthy sex life. However, it is entirely possible to enjoy a normal, healthy sex life as you did before being diagnosed. By addressing your health concerns, decreasing stress and making positive changes to your lifestyle, you can make a big difference in the quality of your sex life, and your everyday life while living with heart disease.
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