I recently had the awful experience of visiting a good friend in the hospital. He had suffered a heart attack at the gym. Luckily there was an off duty EMT present and a defibrillator on the wall. He's recovered since the traumatic incident but complains that he's not back doing cross fit, not doing as much at the gym as he was doing before. We let him complain, but we're just grateful he's still with us. We know you can't work out as much, but you're still breathing!
I'm not trying to downplay his disgust that he cannot push himself as much as he did before, but there are more important things in life. Like SEX. No, we haven't had that conversation post heart attack. We're close, but not sharing sexual details close. But a recent article on MensHealth.com started making me wonder, were his complaints about the gym possible redirection from his change in sexual activity post heart attack? Crap, he reads my posts. Oh well. I'll be getting a text later, I am sure. Either to point out a 'spalling errur' or to tell me his man parts are just fine.
Here's an excerpt from the MensHealth.com article that some of our readers may find interesting and maybe my friend, too.
Not only has he not yet been medically cleared for intercourse, but the thought of jumping back in the sack makes him and his wife nervous.
“It’s a joke between us—if I get too excited, she’ll say, ‘You be careful!’” he says. “But it’s also a half truth. I don’t want to go through that again.”
Reyes is just one of many men who must deal with sexual difficulties in addition to the other life-changing effects of a heart attack.
In fact, 31 percent of men 55 and younger who had no sexual problems before their heart attacks reported at least one new issue in the year following their episodes, new research from the University of Chicago found.
Nearly a quarter of them experienced erectile dysfunction, 19 percent reported a lack of interest in sex, and 16 percent felt anxious about their performance.
Read on to discover the complex mix of physical and psychological factors that can get in way of your sex life after a heart attack—and more importantly, what to do about it. – MensHealth.com
Head on over to MensHealth.com for all of their sexual / heart health advice.
The article goes on to elaborate on the following topics:
There’s a Good Chance Your Erection Was Already In Danger
Your Heart Drugs Can Cause Sexual Problems, Too
Heart Attacks Can Also Cause Mental Health Problems
Your Partner Might Be Anxious, Too
When—and How—to Start Having Sex After a Heart Attack
What If You Have Erectile Difficulties After You’ve Recovered?
Of course as always, don't take advice from an online source when it comes to your health. See your doctor. You pay for your doctor, use him / her to better your health and well being.
How has your sex life changed post heart attack?
Anything different? Better? Worse?
h/t: MensHealth.com