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[Sexual activity and cardiovascular risks]
Gilles Bosser1, Anne Chodek-Hingray2, Céline Kazmierczak1
1Institut régional de réadaptation (IRR), réadaptation cardiaque ambulatoire, rue du Morvan, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Insights
Sexual activity is vital for quality of life, even for cardiac patients. Healthcare providers should discuss sexual health openly and offer treatments like phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sexual Health
- Quality of Life
Context:
- Sexual activity significantly impacts life quality for both general and cardiac populations.
- Cardiovascular diseases and their treatments can negatively affect sexual function.
Purpose:
- To highlight the importance of addressing sexual activity in cardiovascular disease management.
- To guide healthcare professionals in evaluating and counseling patients on sexual health.
Summary:
- Cardiovascular disease and treatments can impair sexual function, necessitating appropriate management.
- Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are recommended for men with erectile dysfunction.
- Cardiovascular risks associated with sexual activity are generally low and individualized risk assessment is crucial.
Impact:
- Encourages proactive patient-physician communication regarding sexual health concerns.
- Promotes individualized risk assessment and counseling for cardiovascular patients.
- Ensures sexual well-being is considered a key component of overall patient care.
Abstract:
Sexual activity is a major aspect of the quality of life in the general population as well as in cardiac patients. It can be compromised by the disease itself (endothelial dysfunction, vascular or cardiac impairment) or by the treatments prescribed. An appropriate treatment should be proposed, including phosphodiesterase inhibitors in men with erectile dysfunction. The risk of cardiovascular complication during sexual activity is low and should not restrain sexual activity in the vast majority of patients. An evaluation of this risk should be made on an individual basis and counseling should be proposed to men and women with cardiovascular diseases regarding their sexual activity. But the most important point, for general practitioners and cardiologists, is to take initiative and talk to the patients about these problems.
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