Does Sex Improve Heart Health?
If you have a heart condition or you’re at a higher risk for heart disease, you may have wondered if sex can improve your heart health or if it could potentially be harmful.
While it is difficult to conduct a study on the correlation between sex and heart health, there is reason to believe that sex can be beneficial for your heart the same as exercise is helpful for cardiovascular health.
Read on to learn how sex can support your heart health and some precautions to take if you have or are at risk for heart disease. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to give up physical intimacy with your partner if you have a heart condition!
What are the Benefits of Sex for Your Heart?
Sex does have quite a few benefits for your heart health as well as your overall health and wellbeing.
Some of the health benefits of sex that can also promote heart health are:
- Sex can help decrease the risk of developing heart disease.
- Sex counts as cardio.
- Sex can actually decrease the risk of a heart attack.
- Sex can strengthen your bond with your partner.
- Sex can improve the quality of your sleep.
- Sex can be a stress reliever.
- Sex can lower blood pressure.
- Sex can strengthen your immune system.
- Sex can help improve your mood.
Sex can help decrease the risk of developing heart disease
One study showed that men who had sex at least twice a week were at a lower risk of developing heart disease than men who had sex less than once a month.
Sex counts as cardio
While it is certainly not equivalent to a high-impact workout session, sex does burn calories and work the cardiovascular system. A session of sex between 5 to 15 minutes provides similar intensity to walking a mile in 20 minutes with a heart rate between 110 to 120 BPM. Just don’t use it in place of a regular exercise routine.
Sex can actually decrease the risk of a heart attack
Despite the common myth of sex causing heart attacks, the reality is that only 1% of heart attacks are actually related to sex. On the contrary, those that engage in regular sex tend to have healthier hearts.
Sex can strengthen your bond with your partner
Being intimate with your partner brings a feeling of closeness that can fend off feelings of loneliness that contribute to a higher risk of heart disease. Close connections with your partner are key to this benefit. Casual sex does not have the same effect.
Sex can improve the quality of your sleep
Sufficient rest is an important part of your heart health and sex can help relax your body and mind to prepare you for a restful sleep.
Sex can be a stress reliever
Your feel-good hormones and endorphins are stimulated by sexual activity which can help relieve stress and anxiety.
Sex can lower blood pressure
Studies have shown that sex can lower systolic blood pressure. However, if you already suffer from high blood pressure, you may want to check with your doctor about the safety of sexual activity.
Sex can strengthen your immune system
Those who are sexually active have more antibodies that protect against germs and viruses.
Sex can help improve your mood Just as feel-good hormones released during sex, like oxytocin, can be stress-relieving, they also have a positive effect on your mood. A happier mood can play a role in your heart health.
Is Your Heart Healthy Enough for Sex?
After reading about the long list of benefits of sex for your heart health, you still may have some concerns if you’ve got a heart condition. You’re probably familiar with exercise restrictions for heart conditions which may make you wonder about the safety of sex for heart health. After all, it does count as physical activity.
Thankfully, you do not necessarily have to give up sex if you have a heart condition. As a matter of fact, sex can be beneficial to your heart health. But like other types of physical activity, there are some considerations to take into account to maintain the safety of your heart. Like other forms of exercise, sex can raise your heart rate which is why some people are concerned that it may be harmful to their heart condition.
If you’re concerned about sexual activity being too intense for your heart condition, here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding if it’s safe for you:
- Are you comfortable when walking at a brisk pace?
- Has your doctor given you clearance for activities like jogging?
- Are you able to climb a flight of stairs without becoming dizzy, disoriented, or having chest pain?
If you’re able to take part in these activities without experiencing severe symptoms, then feel free to engage in sex without worry. If you’re still having doubts, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor.
The chances of having a heart attack during sex are actually quite low. It’s possible to have a heart attack during any form of physical activity and sex doesn’t increase the chances of heart attack any more than going for a jog would. If you don’t have a heart condition, the beneficial effects of sex or any physical activity would certainly outweigh any potential risk of heart attack.
Schedule a visit with your doctor to get clearance for exercise, which includes sex. If you’re experiencing symptoms related to your heart condition, check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to engage in sexual activity.
Summary
Now you know how sex can be beneficial for your physical and mental wellbeing. You also know the signals your body may be sending out to tell you that it needs some additional support for your cardiovascular health. You’ve seen how easy it can be to use physical intimacy to promote a healthier heart. Adding more sexual activity to your intimate relationship can help alleviate or prevent some of the symptoms of poor cardiovascular health.
While healthy sexual activity can be extremely helpful for a strong cardiovascular system, it’s important to seek out professional care if the problem persists. If you’re experiencing symptoms of poor cardiovascular health that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.
