{"id":10642,"date":"2015-11-12T07:00:51","date_gmt":"2015-11-12T13:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/?p=10642"},"modified":"2015-11-12T03:11:39","modified_gmt":"2015-11-12T09:11:39","slug":"american-heart-association-says-partners-of-heart-defibrillator-patients-concerned-about-resuming-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/2015\/11\/12\/american-heart-association-says-partners-of-heart-defibrillator-patients-concerned-about-resuming-sex\/","title":{"rendered":"American Heart Association says Partners of Heart Defibrillator Patients concerned about resuming Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"

American Heart Association Meeting Report<\/h2>\n

\"AmericanOrlando, FL<\/strong> – Intimate partners of people with heart defibrillators are more concerned about resuming sexual activity<\/a> than the patients immediately after the device is implanted, according to research presented at the American Heart Association\u2019s Scientific Sessions 2015.<\/p>\n

Implantable cardiac defibrillator<\/a>s<\/u> <\/span>(ICDs) deliver an electric shock to the heart to correct life threatening heart beats.<\/p>\n

\"Heart<\/a>

Heart Illustration. (American Heart Association)<\/p><\/div>\n

In the study, 105 sexually active couples (average age 65 for patients and 63 for partners) answered questions when they left the hospital after the ICD implant procedure and again after three months. The survey consisted of eight questions in which they ranked their concerns about sexual activity after an ICD.<\/p>\n

Participants\u2019 concerns included lacking interest in sex, fearing ICD discharge during sex, and worry about cardiac arrest happening during sex due to device malfunction. Concern levels for both dropped by three months.<\/p>\n

For partners, there was a nearly 50 percent drop in fears that the patient\u2019s heart would stop and about a two-thirds decline in fears that the ICD would accidentally fire off a cardiac shock.<\/p>\n

Patients experienced a similar reduction in concerns after 3 months; with the largest reduction being in the area of fear of an ICD shock during sex. The study adds to the growing body of research on sexual issues among heart patients and their partners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t just focus on the patient,\u201d said Cynthia Dougherty, A.R.N.P., Ph.D., a Professor of Nursing at the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle, Washington. \u201cAn intimate partner\u2019s level of comfort is also important for recovery, and their concerns warrant attention from healthcare providers.\u201d<\/p>\n

For most people with an ICD, resuming sexual activity is OK once the surgical site is healed.<\/p>\n

Heart patients and their partners\u2019 sexual concerns often aren\u2019t addressed by the provider, which affects recovery, emotional health and intimate relationships.<\/p>\n

Healthcare providers should discuss sexual activity with ICD patients and their partners to allay fears and to treat erectile dysfunction, Dougherty said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an issue that patients are often reluctant to discuss and sometimes providers don\u2019t initiate these discussions as part of routine practice,\u201d she said. \u201cBut it shouldn\u2019t be taboo subject.\u201d<\/p>\n

Co-authors are Lindsay Rosman, M.A.; Elaine Thompson, R.N., Ph.D.; Samuel Sears, Ph.D.; and Elaine Steinke, R.N., Ph.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.<\/p>\n

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funded the study.<\/p>\n

Additional Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n