{"id":42287,"date":"2013-02-15T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2013-02-15T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=42287"},"modified":"2013-02-14T09:22:13","modified_gmt":"2013-02-14T14:22:13","slug":"is-sex-safe-after-stroke-or-heart-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=42287","title":{"rendered":"Is Sex Safe After Stroke or Heart Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Utica, NY \u2013 Feb. 2013) <\/i>Approximately one in three Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease and nearly 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.\u00a0 Readapting to life after a stroke or heart disease episode can be overwhelming and filled with questions\u2014including what to eat, what to drink, how much stress your body can handle and what activities are okay to participate in.<\/p>\n

Among the many questions is whether heart disease or stroke will affect your sex life \u2014 or if it\u2019s safe to have sex at all. According to the American Heart Association, it is probably safe to have sex if your cardiovascular disease has stabilized and your doctor has given you the green light.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important for survivors and caregivers alike to understand that returning to intimacy can take some time,\u201d notes Dr. Frank Dubeck, President of American Heart Association advisory board in Utica. \u201cThere might be new challenges to face, including emotional obstacles like insecurity, a feeling of unattractiveness or depression or physical issues like numbness, weakness or lack of feeling in certain parts of the body.\u201d<\/p>\n

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association suggest having an open conversation of your concerns with your doctor.\u00a0 Know that you are not alone and that there are ways to still light the fire in your relationship, despite any cardiovascular disease condition.<\/p>\n

Consider the following as you approach the topic with your partner and doctor:<\/p>\n