Can I still have sex?
Many patients with heart failure lead normal, active, sex lives. Intimacy and sex are recognized as important aspects of life and you do not need to give up intimacy because you have been diagnosed with heart failure. Feel free to talk with your healthcare providers about sexual activity and any concerns of how much activity your heart can handle. Your healthcare provider can also inform you about special precautions that you may need to take before or during sex. Engaging in sexual activity is not usually dangerous for your heart, however, you should be aware that sex, like any other activity, must be tailored if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or other discomfort.
Some patients have difficulty getting aroused, and there can be a variety of reasons for this. Talk about your feelings with your partner and/or healthcare provider and realize that it’s okay if you don’t feel like having sex, especially if you are having discomfort. There are many ways of being intimate other than sexual intercourse. Hugging, body rubs, and sharing other expressions of love can also be very intimate. Various treatments are also available for sexual dysfunction if needed.
