Sexual intercourse is associated with physical exertion, which may pose some risk to a patient with cardiovascular disease. Clinical findings can help stratify the level of risk for a patient. In general the chances of death during sexual activity is low.
Factor |
Low Risk |
Intermediate Risk |
High Risk |
---|---|---|---|
angina |
none or stable |
frequent or moderate severity |
unstable |
hypertension |
well controlled |
partially controlled |
poorly controlled |
CHF |
NYHA Class I (mild) |
NYHA Class II (moderate) |
NYHA Class III or IV (severe) |
myocardial infarction |
uncomplicated |
recent but more than 2 weeks |
within past 2 weeks |
risk factors for coronary artery disease |
< 3 |
>= 3 |
NA |
peripheral vascular disease |
none |
mild to moderate |
severe |
cardiomyopathy |
none or mild |
moderate |
severe |
arrhythmia |
none |
|
significant |
valvular disease |
none or mild |
mild to moderate |
moderate to severe |
revascularization surgery |
performed and successful |
|
|
where:
• Risk factors for coronary artery disease would include factors like obesity, hyperlipidemia, family history, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.
Risk Level |
Management |
---|---|
low |
manage medically and follow at regular intervals |
intermediate |
refer for functional testing (exercise treadmill test, echocardiography, nuclear imaging studies); may resume if no or if mild left ventricular dysfunction |
high |
refer for cardiovascular evaluation and stabilization prior to resumption of sexual activity |
Purpose: To identify the risk for a man with cardiovascular disease having sexual activity.
Specialty: Urology
Objective: risk factors
ICD-10: I20, I21, I25, I70,