Cardiovascular disease can affect the patient’s sex life in several ways.

If the patient has had a myocardial infarction, he or his partner might be afraid that physical exertion during sexual intercourse will trigger another infarction.

Cardiac diseases are also associated with different factors that may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and make treatment more difficult:

• Atherosclerosis can affect the blood flow to the penis, causing the appearance of difficulties in obtaining an erection. Smoking worsens this situation and quitting smoking should always be a priority;
• Many of the medicines used to treat high blood pressure such as beta-blockers, thiazides, diuretics, and clonidine can contribute to erectile dysfunction;
• some, but not all of the statins and fibrates used to treat hypercholesterolemia can have a minor effect on erection.

The physical exertion during a sexual act does not exceed that of climbing four floors in a walking step, that is if the patient takes things at a slower pace.

If the patient can climb four floors without breathing difficulties, significant palpitations or severe chest pain (angina), then he or she may have risk-free sexual activity.

The risk due to sexual activity in men with heart disease is minimal if the patient is properly evaluated and treated. So, patients who have had a myocardial infarction and are afraid of having sexual activity are advised to consult with their cardiologist.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction and heart disease

First, the sexologist in Delhi will evaluate if it is safe for the patient to have sexual activity, then decide the most appropriate treatment after explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the patient. Not all erectile dysfunction treatment in Delhi are suitable for men with heart disease.

Oral treatment: Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra

These medicines are not suitable for men with heart conditions who take nitrates, treatment for angina or heart failure.

It should not be given to men with conditions for whom sexual activity is not recommended, such as severe heart failure and unstable angina.

Cialis should not be taken by men with angina or with an irregular heart rate if heart disease is not controlled by drugs, or by men whose angina is triggered by sexual activity. It is inappropriate for men who have had a myocardial infarction in the past 90 days or for those who have had a stroke or heart failure in the last 6 months.

Levitra should not be taken by men who have had a myocardial infarction or stroke in the last 6 months.

Viagra should not be taken within the first 4 weeks after a heart attack or stroke. When Viagra was introduced to the market, there were complaints from men with heart problems that had serious side effects. Studies since then show that Viagra does not increase the risk of myocardial infarction or sudden death and is a safe treatment for many men with heart disease.

Patients with severe heart disease

Erectile dysfunction occurs frequently in men with heart disease, but all treatments for erectile dysfunction are considered inappropriate for patients with severe conditions, for whom sexual activity is prohibited.

The problem is not the treatment, but if the sexual activity puts too much pressure on the sick heart.

Patients with more severe heart disease will be referred to a cardiologist who will evaluate the disease and determine if sexual activity is allowed to the patient.

A patient with severe heart disease will first need treatment for stabilizing heart disease and then one for erectile dysfunction.