Thus far, sexual activity and heart disease have been considered separately. Now we will bring them together as they occur in life. Resumption of sexual activity often evokes more concern in the cardiac patient than resumption of other forms of physical activity. It is often regarded as special, and different from such efforts as climbing stairs or taking a brisk walk. We challenge this idea, and demonstrate the essentially groundless basis for the cardiac patient’s sexual fears. Sexual activity, in its effects on the heart, is similar to any other activity.
