Sex-Related Heart Attacks Are Rare
Heart attacks occurring during or immediately after sexual intercourse are rare, according to the findings of a recent study.1
For their study, the researchers analyzed the frequency of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurring during or within 1 hour after sex for patients older than age 18. Data was collected using emergency medical service reports from the community-based Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study from 2002 to 2015.
Of the 4557 identified cases of SCA, only 34 (0.7%) were related to sexual activity.
The researchers found that SCAs were more likely to occur in men who were middle-aged, African American, had a history of cardiovascular disease, and were receiving cardiovascular medication. In addition, ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia was more common among those who had experienced a sex-related SCA compared with those who did not. Additionally, some cases of sex-related SCA were potentially associated with medications, stimulants, and alcohol use.
While the burden of sex-related SCAs was low, only one-third of patients received bystander CPR. This low rate was found to account for less than 20% of patients surviving to hospital discharge.
“These findings highlight the importance of continued efforts to educate the public on the importance of bystander CPR for SCA, irrespective of the circumstance,” the authors concluded.2
—Melissa Weiss
References:
1. Aro AL, Rusinaru C, Uy-Evanado A, et al. Sexual activity as a trigger for sudden cardiac arrest [published online November 12, 2017]. J Am Coll Cardiol. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.09.025.
2. Research shows low chance of sudden cardiac arrest after sex [press release]. Washington, DC: American College of Cardiology; November 12, 2017. http://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2017/11/12/13/44/research-shows-low-chance-of-sudden-cardiac-arrest-after-sex. Accessed November 13, 2017.