Heart Attack Survivors Recommended To Get Counseling For Sex

It goes without saying that people with cardiovascular diseases should be wary of participating in strenuous activities, especially when recovering from something as fatalistic as a heart attack. No, this article is not about workout sessions; rather it is about the importance of getting counseling for sexually active people with existing cardiovascular conditions.

A study conducted in the United States and Spain has revealed that only 19 percent of men and 12 percent of women report to receiving sexual counseling, after a mere month from suffering a heart attack. This may prove to be detrimental to the process of recovery in most cases.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, who is also the associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and geriatric medicine, and director of the program in Integrative Sexual Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Centre, said "Even with life threatening illnesses, people value their sexual function and believe it is appropriate for healthcare providers to raise the issue of resuming sexual activity."

Lindau went on to state that if healthcare professionals don't bring up the issue, then patients may incorrectly assume that sexual function may not be relevant to their current medical condition as well as their recovery process. It is therefore imperative that such matters be openly and clearly discussed between doctor and patient.

In fact, in 2013, the American Heart Association published a statement that encouraged healthcare providers to counsel patients regarding sexual activities. The statement also proposed that advice should be tailored to fit the individual conditions of the patients as well as keeping in mind the needs of both patient and spouse.