AF and sexual activity

[Patricia1]

There is an article about sex after a heart attack in today's Everyday health newsletter. Does anyone have any information or opinions about sexual activity and AF? eg can it be a trigger?

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Hi Patricia, There was just a discussion about this on a post on another AF forum that I follow and it seems the answers about this are as varied as for every other trigger that we have. Yes, it can be a trigger for some, and for others it is not a problem. The fear of it being a trigger can be just as debilitating as if it is and it seems for many that they avoid sexual activity because of it. It is one of the things that I am happy to have back to normal in my post ablation life!

[Patricia1 in reply to SRMGrandma]

Hi SRMGrandma, Do you have a link to the discussion you mention?

[SRMGrandma Volunteer in reply to Patricia1]

It's the Atrial Fibrillation Support Forum on Facebook. It's a closed group so you have to request to join, but you can find the discussion pretty easily as it was just in the past few days if you decide to check it out.

[Patricia1 in reply to SRMGrandma]

Thank you - I will find it

[BobD Volunteer]

We had such a discussion about six years ago at HRC and the consensus was it depends who with. Any activity can be a stress but the more common is less likely to be a problem. For example for many men using a vacuum cleaner might be stressful and for the ladies, washing the car.

To come back to your original question unlikely to be a problem with your normal partner but a fresh new relationship could prove your undoing on many counts.

Or to quote an old saying. "A bad new ---- is always better than a good old one. "

Bob

(Of course for me it is all academic since the operation. lol)

[seasider18 in reply to BobD]

When my wife was a nurse they had a patients in A&E who had sex with a vacuum cleaner with painful results.

[Dadog in reply to BobD]

Your quote "A bad new....etc" refers to cars, Bob, surely?

[Runcrans]

Hi , this as been a worry for me too, I've never gone into af after sex either before ablation or after ablation but it still puts me off most of the time just in case it sets me off again, it's always on the back of my mind which is quite off putting really and I don't disuse this with my wife ,maybe I should she does no I worry a lot about the af ,but things are getting better as time goes by , cheers Paul

[Hidden]

No problems to report in a long standing relationship. I was more concerned in the post sex relaxation period (due to the contrast) as my Vagus Nerve is sensitive and in the early AF days episodes would trigger just sitting down in the evening to watch a favourite tv programme or collapsing into bed at the end of a busy day.

I deal with this concern by simply taking a couple of deep breaths. No comment from my partner so far!!

[Dadog]

What a complicated lot we are! Probably best to live , be and do, as normal and always listen to our bodies. They are very good at giving us warnings when we overdo anything.

[Fenderman]

I think sex in moderation is OK for most ailments we all suffer.

[gateman]

Stick to the wife. That way you won,t get overexcited.

[rosyG]

hi

If you look at the section on sex and heart health in the CareAF resources it will cheer you pu a lot- and stop you worrying!!

[Kodaska]

Triage - what would you rather have - arrhythmias or celibacy?

Methinks fear is a significant trigger, since it activates the stress response. "Forget about your sin, give the audience a grin. Enjoy it, it's your last chance anyhow!" (Monty Python, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life")

[annlynne]

I have only just joined this group and looking at the comments I feel compelled to issue a health warning from my own experience :

while awaiting ablation and start of Warfarin treatment in preparation :

AF bouts on holiday in Canaries +flight + existing hypothyroidism + washing /ironing +sex (with husband) +domestic altercation = massive stroke and left side immobility for last 7 years .

In hindsight all could have been avoided with greater information and a total boring life of abstinence.

Nannyannie