Abstract

Objective: Sexual dysfunction after a cardiovascular event is a frequently encountered problem in clinical practice. The aim of our study is to determine the time it takes for patients to switch to a healthy sexual life, which is one of the basic elements of a healthy social life, after a cardiovascular event in Turkish society. In addition, it is to have an idea about the determination of the factors affecting sexual life and the interventions that can be made to correct them. Methods: In our study, volunteer women and men who had a cardiovascular event at least 3 months before and were sexually active before the cardiovascular event (CVE) between January 2017 - December 2019 were evaluated using a closed questionnaire. The demographic characteristics of the patients, their comorbidities and medications, and their sexual activity levels before and after the cardiovascular event were compared. Results: After CVE, sexual reluctance developed in 36 % (n=117) of the patients. In the group with sexual reluctance, heart failure (21 % (n=25) - 9 % (n=18) - p=0.001), CRF (%9 (n=11) - %0 (n=0) p < 0.001), BPH presence (34 % (n=40)- (11 % (n=23)) p < 0.001) was high. Beta-blocker use (95% (n=111) - 84% (n=172) p = 0.001) and ACE/ARB use (62% (n=73) - 54% (n=111) p=0.05) higher in the group of sexual reluctance. Conclusion: In our study, an increase in the prevalence of sexual reluctance was observed in patients with multiple comorbidities, especially heart failure. Sexual reluctance was found to be higher in patients using beta blockers. However, instead of staying away from beta-blockers that provide mortality reduction after acute coronary syndrome; It is of great importance to reintegrate patients into social life, especially by preferring selective beta-blockers and accompanied by appropriate cardiac and psychosocial rehabilitation.

Key words: Erectile dysfunction, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, cardiac rehabilitation