On this World Heart Day, take time to consider how cardiovascular disease can impact your sexual function and what you can do to improve both.
Your heart health and sex life are more closely connected than you may realise. A healthy heart is essential for a satisfying sex life. If your heart isn’t in tip-top shape, it could be affecting more than just your stamina
Sex may permeate our popular culture, but conversations about it are still associated with stigma and shame in Indian households. As a result, most individuals dealing with sexual health issues or trying to find information about sex often resort to unverified online sources or follow the unscientific advice of their friends. To address the widespread misinformation about sex, News18.com is running this weekly sex column, titled ‘Let’s Talk Sex’. We hope to initiate conversations about sex through this column and address sexual health issues with scientific insight and nuance.
In this article, we will explain how cardiovascular disease can impact your sexual function and what you can do to improve both.
Your heart health and sex life are more closely connected than you may realise. On this World Heart Day, take time to consider how cardiovascular disease can impact your sexual function and what you can do to improve both. A healthy heart is essential for a satisfying sex life. If your heart isn’t in tip-top shape, it could be affecting more than just your stamina. If it’s not pumping properly due to cardiovascular disease, it impacts your ability to perform and your desire to get intimate.
The Link Between Heart Health and Sexual Function
The heart and circulatory system are responsible for pumping oxygenated blood throughout your body, including to your sexual organs. Cardiovascular disease can restrict blood flow throughout your body, including your genitals. This makes it difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection. The risk increases significantly if you have high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries), heart disease or diabetes. These conditions damage arteries and impair circulation, reducing blood flow to the penis. When your heart isn’t functioning properly due to cardiovascular disease, it can impact your sex life in various ways:
- Erectile dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to get or maintain an erection. For men, ED is often one of the first signs of an underlying heart condition. Plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the penis can prevent enough blood flow for an erection.
- Decreased libido: A healthy sex drive relies on adequate blood flow throughout the body. If your heart has trouble pumping blood, it may lower your libido or sex drive. Conditions like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and heart failure are frequent culprits. Medications you’re on could also affect your libido.
- Difficulty achieving orgasm: Orgasm requires increased blood flow to the sexual organs and sensory nerves. Heart disease and some medications used to treat it can make it difficult for both men and women to become aroused and climax. Engaging in regular sexual activity and experimenting with different techniques may help. But if problems persist, talk to your doctor.
- Safety concerns: If you‘ve recently had a heart attack or procedure like bypass surgery, your doctor may recommend avoiding sex for a certain period of time as strenuous activity could be dangerous. Be sure to get the all-clear from your doctor before resuming sexual activity. Even once cleared, you may need to start slowly and avoid overly rigorous sex, especially at first. Sexual activity places extra demands on your heart, so any symptoms during or right after intercourse require immediate medical attention. Don’t delay – your life and quality of life are at stake.
Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Heart and Sex Life
Several lifestyle changes can improve your cardiovascular health and boost your sex life.
Exercise regularly: Exercise is key for heart health and improving sexual function. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity like walking, swimming or light strength training. Exercise improves circulation, which helps with arousal and orgasm. It also releases endorphins that boost your mood and libido.
Eat a healthy diet: A diet low in saturated fat, sugar and salt but high in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein is best for your heart and sex life. Focus on the Mediterranean diet, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and other nutrients vital for heart and sexual health. Limit red meat and instead choose fish high in omega-3s like salmon, sardines and trout.
Reduce stress: Too much stress can negatively impact your heart and libido. Try relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing and massage therapy. Spending time with loved ones, limiting screen time and getting enough sleep can also help lower your stress levels.
Limit alcohol and avoid smoking: While moderate alcohol use may have some heart health benefits, too much can damage your heart and decrease libido. Smoking constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure and decreases arousal and sexual function.
If you have cardiovascular disease or other chronic conditions, work closely with your doctor on the best treatment plan for you. Medications and medical procedures may sometimes cause sexual side effects, so talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding your sex life or libido. Managing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes will have major benefits for your health and sexual function.
Certain medications like those for high blood pressure, anxiety or depression can also cause or contribute to ED as a side effect. If you experience ED, talk to your doctor about alternative drugs or dosages. They may also prescribe ED medications like sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) which improve blood flow to the penis.
A healthy body means a healthy heart and a healthy heart means a satisfying sex life at any age. Focus on total wellness and you’ll be enjoying intimacy again in no time. Get active, eat right, limit unhealthy habits, and visit your doctor regularly. It’s really that simple.
When your cardiovascular system is working properly, blood flow increases throughout your body, including to all the right places. Healthy blood flow is essential for sexual arousal, performance, and satisfaction for both men and women. Make heart health a priority and you’ll enjoy the rewards for years to come, in and out of the bedroom. Your heart and your honey will thank you.
