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Sexual activity and cardiac risk.
1University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, California 94110, USA. mellac22@comcast.net
The American Journal of Cardiology
|January 3, 2006
Summary
Sexual activity modestly increases oxygen demand, potentially triggering myocardial ischemia in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. This review examines the link between sexual activity, sympathetic activation, and cardiac events in men with ED.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sexual Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a common factor in atherosclerosis and erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Patients with ED have an increased incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Sexual activity increases myocardial oxygen demand and sympathetic nervous system activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effect of sexual activity on oxygen consumption.
- To examine the relationship between sexual activity, sympathetic activation, and myocardial ischemia in CAD patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on the physiological effects of sexual activity.
- Analysis of studies investigating oxygen consumption during sexual intercourse.
- Evaluation of the impact of sexual activity on myocardial oxygen demand in patients with CAD.
Main Results:
- Sexual intercourse increases total body oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) modestly, to 3-5 metabolic equivalents.
- This increase in Vo(2) is transient.
- A small increase in myocardial infarction incidence within 2 hours of sexual activity is likely due to sympathetic activation and increased myocardial oxygen demand (MVo(2)).
Conclusions:
- Sexual activity poses a modest risk for precipitating myocardial ischemia in patients with CAD.
- Understanding the physiological demands of sexual activity is crucial for managing cardiovascular risk in patients with ED.