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Is Being Hardworking And Sexually Active Safe While Having Myocardial Infarction?
Question: I'm 75 male and had a heart attack 8 yrs ago, I had one stint put in. I just had a stress test with the XXXXXXX I was told my heart was a little weak I was 55 % back 8 yrs ago I'm now at 45% But I have good blood flow I also had 2 arteries back 8 yrs ago blocked at 75%. Can I shovel a couple yards of stone and do strenuous work before my echo is done on Nov 7. Am I a risk for a stroke or another heart attack Could this mean i have another blockage and might have to have another stint Also I'm engaged will having sexual relations make me at risk of a heart attack with only 45%? Thank you for answering my questions so I proceed in a safe mode in strenuous work and loving safely.
Brief Answer:
Activity according to your physical condition
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. Thank you for your question.
There are a lot of reasons that your heart, which suffered a necrotic attack 8 years ago, to undergo gradual changes and lose some of its function. Although 45% of heart's ejection fraction is only a slight reduction of its function (50-70% being the normal range), this may limit your physical activity to some point. However, it is safe for you to perform the physical activities you mentioned above, and you are the best decision maker to when to stop the activity, i.e. if you become short of breath or fatigued. At this point, I would recommend a diuretic to be added in your list of medication, if it is not already there.
Regarding the risk factors, a person who suffered a major cardiovascular event, such as myocardial infarction, is at risk for other events, theoretically. Also, if you are saying that 8 years back not only you had a artery totally blocked, which was treated by stent implantation, but also two other arteries were 75% blocked, then there is a chance that one of these blockages has progressed to another total blockage which has reflected, to some point, to your heart's further function drop. Therefore, after these certain tests you mentioned have been carried out, I would recommend a second coronary angiogram, to exactly assess the arteries, quntitatively evaluate the blockages and decide for further treatment (medical therapy versus stent implantation versus coronary artery by-pass grafting).
I hope you find my answer helpful. I am happy to help, if you have any follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Activity according to your physical condition
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. Thank you for your question.
There are a lot of reasons that your heart, which suffered a necrotic attack 8 years ago, to undergo gradual changes and lose some of its function. Although 45% of heart's ejection fraction is only a slight reduction of its function (50-70% being the normal range), this may limit your physical activity to some point. However, it is safe for you to perform the physical activities you mentioned above, and you are the best decision maker to when to stop the activity, i.e. if you become short of breath or fatigued. At this point, I would recommend a diuretic to be added in your list of medication, if it is not already there.
Regarding the risk factors, a person who suffered a major cardiovascular event, such as myocardial infarction, is at risk for other events, theoretically. Also, if you are saying that 8 years back not only you had a artery totally blocked, which was treated by stent implantation, but also two other arteries were 75% blocked, then there is a chance that one of these blockages has progressed to another total blockage which has reflected, to some point, to your heart's further function drop. Therefore, after these certain tests you mentioned have been carried out, I would recommend a second coronary angiogram, to exactly assess the arteries, quntitatively evaluate the blockages and decide for further treatment (medical therapy versus stent implantation versus coronary artery by-pass grafting).
I hope you find my answer helpful. I am happy to help, if you have any follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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