After a Heart Attack People who have had a heart attack are often concerned about having sexual relations. Their partners also worry about these issues, often more so than the patient. As a result of these concerns, many couples are understandably reluctant to resume sexual activity.
Most people are indeed able to resume sexual relations at some point after a heart attack.
The strain on one's heart during sexual intercourse is about the same as the strain from walking up two flights of stairs. Thus, most people who can do this should be able to resume sexual activities. However, specific recommendations as to when one can resume sexual relations depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the heart attack and the amount of residual heart function. Your doctor should factor these considerations into his or her recommendations. Doctors rarely discuss these issues spontaneously with heart attack patients and their spouses, so you may want to question your doctor specifically about this issue.