Doctors warn men with heart disease to avoid rigorous sexual activity

Medical experts have warned men with heart disease, particularly those with abnormal heart rhythms, to avoid rigorous sexual activity. Such physical exertion can place dangerous additional stress on a weakened heart.

Doctors noted that conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can impair blood flow, contributing to erectile dysfunction. They cautioned against self-medicating with erectile dysfunction drugs or sexual enhancement products, as these can interact with existing heart or blood pressure medications and cause life-threatening changes in blood pressure.

The warnings coincide with World Heart Day and the World Heart Federation’s ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’ campaign. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death globally in 2022, accounting for approximately 19.8 million deaths, or 32 per cent of all global deaths.