Sex after heart attack

Could he? Should she? Could they? What if? These were the doubts and questions blurring the minds of Remo and Merlin. The whirlpools of desire threatened to drown them in its vortex.  He wanted to just crush his wife, Merlin in his arms and make wild, passionate love to her. She just wanted to dissolve into the strength of her husband’s shoulders. It had been such a long time. So what is stopping them one would ask?

The fact is that it had been about four weeks since Remo had a bypass surgery after suffering a heart attack at the age of 42, thanks to his workaholic stressful lifestyle. This could be the most predominant reason. Would he be pushing himself too much? Merlin’s fears were more about what if sex caused another attack? Or worse, what if Remo collapsed due to the strain? They hadn’t asked his cardiologist and he hadn’t mentioned sex either. But how soon can you resume sex life after a heart attack?

Sexual urges are compelling and virtually impossible to smother. It is not going to spare you just because you have had an upheaval in the form of a heart attack. Remember, you are actually causing yourself more stress by trying to suppress what needs to be addressed.

Statistics and medical research has conclusively pointed out that the incidence of a death during coitus is less than 0.1 per cent. Even these deaths were due to extra pressure on the heart by virtue of indulging in extramarital sex after a heavy meal accompanied by alcohol.

The best person who can answer this is your cardiologist. In many cases due to social habituation or shyness, patients do not ask their doctors and sometimes the doctors themselves are embarrassed to bring up this topic. One must remember omission cannot be interpreted as prohibition. Just as clarifications are sought regarding diet, exercise, etc sex should also be a part of the same.

The writer is a sexologist. Mail him at dr.narayana@deccanmail.com