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Does Having Sex Increase The Chance Of Heart Attack?
Question: I've read that sex rarely if ever causes a heart attack, especially in women; my husband and I have sex daily (I am 53), but the past few weeks I've been getting very short of breath during orgasm, when my heart starts beating fast. The last 3 days I have been getting pressure in the middle of my chest and under my left arm and in my shoulder. My chest starts feeling really tight and I get a little wheezy, like I'm congested. It eases off after 15-20 minutes.
Yesterday, my heart started flip flopping in my chest while it was beating fast, then hit really hard and slow 4 times....then eventually got better. I just tried to relax and deep breathe slowly and not get panicked. Today at work, when I climbed the stairs to my office I got short of breath and started getting tight chested again. I got nausea and stomach cramps; I got worried and chewed 4 baby aspirins. my pain got better, but I feel weak, wiped out, still short of breath when walking around and my left shoulder is still nagging me. My anniversary is tomorrow; I have 300.00 tickets to a play to XXXXXXX my husband. I don't want to ruin everything by going to the ER for something that could be a bug of some sort that will just pass. I had a normal stress test in March 2012, so I hate to go for nothing, when it's probably nothing....not to mention all the money that ER testing would cost. A nurse where I worked did an EKG for me today, it showed "low voltage QRS", she said it probably wasn't anything to worry about.
So, if I tough this out until Saturday evening, keep taking aspirins (my husband has a bottle of Ntg on hand), if I still feel bad then, I could go on to the ER then. Do you think this strategy should work to buy time, if necessary.
I am 5'6", 206 lbs, very active but hypothyroid, borderline DMII, mild asthma that doesn't require daily inhalers or meds. My BP is 117/82, pulse 60. I take care of my 73 y/o Sister n law with Dementia; she lives with us and has for the past 2 yrs. I am a medical biller in a high stress group specialty practice. I am allergic to biaxin, fiorinal, floxin and hydrocodone. I don't smoke (ever) and have a glass of wine on my anniversary and new years eve.
I eat mostly fish, stew, Chinese and vegetables; red meat about once every 2 wks. I drink tea, water with lemon or milk.
Both my parents have CAD, hx of HTN and CVA, but are in 80's and living. Dad had quad bypass, Mom has 5 stints, pacemaker and valve replacement last yr and is IDDM.
Yester Yesterday
Yesterday, my heart started flip flopping in my chest while it was beating fast, then hit really hard and slow 4 times....then eventually got better. I just tried to relax and deep breathe slowly and not get panicked. Today at work, when I climbed the stairs to my office I got short of breath and started getting tight chested again. I got nausea and stomach cramps; I got worried and chewed 4 baby aspirins. my pain got better, but I feel weak, wiped out, still short of breath when walking around and my left shoulder is still nagging me. My anniversary is tomorrow; I have 300.00 tickets to a play to XXXXXXX my husband. I don't want to ruin everything by going to the ER for something that could be a bug of some sort that will just pass. I had a normal stress test in March 2012, so I hate to go for nothing, when it's probably nothing....not to mention all the money that ER testing would cost. A nurse where I worked did an EKG for me today, it showed "low voltage QRS", she said it probably wasn't anything to worry about.
So, if I tough this out until Saturday evening, keep taking aspirins (my husband has a bottle of Ntg on hand), if I still feel bad then, I could go on to the ER then. Do you think this strategy should work to buy time, if necessary.
I am 5'6", 206 lbs, very active but hypothyroid, borderline DMII, mild asthma that doesn't require daily inhalers or meds. My BP is 117/82, pulse 60. I take care of my 73 y/o Sister n law with Dementia; she lives with us and has for the past 2 yrs. I am a medical biller in a high stress group specialty practice. I am allergic to biaxin, fiorinal, floxin and hydrocodone. I don't smoke (ever) and have a glass of wine on my anniversary and new years eve.
I eat mostly fish, stew, Chinese and vegetables; red meat about once every 2 wks. I drink tea, water with lemon or milk.
Both my parents have CAD, hx of HTN and CVA, but are in 80's and living. Dad had quad bypass, Mom has 5 stints, pacemaker and valve replacement last yr and is IDDM.
Yester Yesterday
Brief Answer:
I recommend you to consult your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern let me give you my opinion and recommendations.
Seems that you have multiple coronary risk factors (strong heredity for coronary disease form both parents, dyslipidemia as a consequence of hypothyroidism besides others, borderline DMII). In addition you have co-morbidities like asthma, hypothyroidism, obesity (BMI 33.2) which would complicate further your clinical status if a heart attack would appear.
From the other side you have recent complains that look suggestive of a possible ischemic heart problem (newly appeared shortness of breathing and chest pain with exertion).
The point is if: Do we have to give those complains the maximum attention, comprising an immediate doctor consultation and possible recommended exams??!!! Or, do we have to wait and check the problem in a later time?!!
The first question is supported by the strongly suggestive nature of your complains and the disturbing multiple coronary risk factors; keeping also in mind that in a patient with co-morbidities is better and safe to prevent than to face a very dangerous situation (when heart attack is already present).
The second question is supported by the fact that your prior stress test was considered normal.
But remember that you are a 53 y/o female and not rarely stress test makes some jokes with females (it may result abnormal when the coronary arteries result normal, or may conclude normal when not an important coronary lesion is present). So, stress test may lack sensitivity or specificity in women. I would not base my clinical judgement only on stress test when I had to face with a woman complain.
As God or the nature gives us some valuable signs, we have to pay attention to them. We don't have a better alternative way to prevent some bad things happen. So my opinion is in favor of the first question. I strongly recommend you to consult your cardiologist and to clarify this issue. May be any additional test would be needed, such as coronary angio CT scan. It remains to be decided by your doctor. It is nice to prevent unpleasant things happen.
May be a couple of hours to your doctor will not ruin your anniversary. I hope so.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
My Best Wishes! Dr. Iliri
I recommend you to consult your doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern let me give you my opinion and recommendations.
Seems that you have multiple coronary risk factors (strong heredity for coronary disease form both parents, dyslipidemia as a consequence of hypothyroidism besides others, borderline DMII). In addition you have co-morbidities like asthma, hypothyroidism, obesity (BMI 33.2) which would complicate further your clinical status if a heart attack would appear.
From the other side you have recent complains that look suggestive of a possible ischemic heart problem (newly appeared shortness of breathing and chest pain with exertion).
The point is if: Do we have to give those complains the maximum attention, comprising an immediate doctor consultation and possible recommended exams??!!! Or, do we have to wait and check the problem in a later time?!!
The first question is supported by the strongly suggestive nature of your complains and the disturbing multiple coronary risk factors; keeping also in mind that in a patient with co-morbidities is better and safe to prevent than to face a very dangerous situation (when heart attack is already present).
The second question is supported by the fact that your prior stress test was considered normal.
But remember that you are a 53 y/o female and not rarely stress test makes some jokes with females (it may result abnormal when the coronary arteries result normal, or may conclude normal when not an important coronary lesion is present). So, stress test may lack sensitivity or specificity in women. I would not base my clinical judgement only on stress test when I had to face with a woman complain.
As God or the nature gives us some valuable signs, we have to pay attention to them. We don't have a better alternative way to prevent some bad things happen. So my opinion is in favor of the first question. I strongly recommend you to consult your cardiologist and to clarify this issue. May be any additional test would be needed, such as coronary angio CT scan. It remains to be decided by your doctor. It is nice to prevent unpleasant things happen.
May be a couple of hours to your doctor will not ruin your anniversary. I hope so.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
My Best Wishes! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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