PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Let’s talk about sex: Heart patients want guidance from health care professionals

American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024, Abstract MDP1162

2024-11-11
(Press-News.org) Research Highlights:

A small survey of adults aged 30 to 89 (average age of 65) in Sweden who have heart conditions found that there is a significant difference between the sexual health information they seek and what is provided to them by their health care professionals and the health care system. Despite 76% of patients with heart conditions reporting that sexual health affects their mood and well-being, only 5% received information or counseling about sexual health. Researchers suggest health care professionals adjust their patient care practices to ensure that discussing sexual health becomes a standard and respected topic in health care settings. This means that every person with heart disease would receive information or at least be encouraged to seek information about their sexual health. Note: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract. Abstracts presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered preliminary until published as full manuscripts in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024

DALLAS, Nov. 11, 2024 — Older adults with heart conditions reported in a survey that their sexual health impacts their mood and well-being. However, they also noted that most health care professionals did not offer them sexual health information, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024. The meeting, Nov. 16-18, 2024, in Chicago, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.

A survey of older adults aged 30 to 89 (average age of 65) with health conditions such as high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, heart failure or who were heart attack survivors living in Sweden were asked questions about access to sexual health information and perceptions about a connection to heart health. Recruitment took place through patient organizations, clinical outpatient departments and social media. There were 135 survey respondents.

The topics patients wanted to discuss the most included medication side effects (60%), erectile dysfunction (50%), impact on relationships (47%), anxiety before sex (35%) and pain during sex (13% of women). Patients most favored conversations with health care professionals (79%); and/or getting information at various times from different sources (43%).

The analysis found:

78% of respondents said they wanted information on sexual health; however, only 5% said they received it. 76% of respondents said sexual health affects their mood and well-being. 65% of men believe their heart disease impacted their sexual health, while 35% of women said they think that their heart disease impacted their sexual health. Men more often desired information on sexual health than women (87% vs. 64%). “That so many heart patients feel it actually affects their sexual health was surprising to us, even though it’s been known for a while that this topic is not routinely discussed with heart patients,” said study lead author Tiny Jaarsma, Ph.D., a professor of nursing at the University of Linkoping in Sweden. “There is not much information published specifically for patients with heart disease. People may also worry about the trustworthiness of many Internet sources.”

"I believe the health care professionals should change their patient standards to make discussing sexual health a standard and respectable topic in health care settings. This way, every person with heart disease would receive information or at least be encouraged to seek information about their sexual health," she explained. "Currently, we are asking questions like 'Are you vaccinated? Do you have a healthy diet? Do you exercise?' We should also address sexual health as a routine topic of discussion, just like any other health concern."

The American Heart Association recommends that people who have experienced a heart attack or have been diagnosed with heart disease and stroke should check with a health care professional before resuming sexual activity.

“This study aligns with a small body of research indicating that feelings of shame and discomfort about sex serve as obstacles to counseling heart patients,” said American Heart Association volunteer expert Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., FAHA, professor of cardiology at Zucker School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute at Northwell Health in Lake Success, New York. “The societal and cultural stigma associated with sex, as well as the limited knowledge among health care professionals about educating patients on sexual health, can affect the incorporation of sexual health into the care of heart patients. It’s important to address these factors to provide comprehensive patient care.”

Jaarsma said the study's strength is that it focused on people with heart conditions living at home instead of patients in a hospital or clinical setting, increasing anonymity. Limitations include that the survey was done in Sweden and administered online, so people who were less comfortable using technology might not have participated.

Study background and details:

Researchers conducted an online national survey in Sweden in the spring of 2024. There were 21 questions, and participants answered only one survey. The survey was developed based on literature and previous international surveys about sexual health in patients with heart conditions. Recruitment took place via patient organizations, clinical outpatient departments and social media. All data was collected anonymously. 59% of the 135 respondents were men. In Sweden, it is illegal for medical research studies to ask for racial/ethnic information from participants. Respondents self-reported: high blood pressure 47%, heart attack survivors 36%; experienced irregular heartbeats 30%; and heart failure 24%. Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.  

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.

Additional Resources:

Multimedia is available on the right column of the release link https://newsroom.heart.org/news/lets-talk-about-sex-heart-patients-want-guidance-from-health-care-professionals?preview=2e52c940993ca179169973a45d9d4fd1 Spanish news release Link to Abstract MDP1162; AHA Scientific Sessions 2024 Online Program Planner AHA Guideline: Guideline for the Management of Patients With Chronic Coronary Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines (Aug. 2023) AHA Scientific Statement: Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease (Jan. 2012) AHA health information: Sexual activity and heart disease For more news at AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, follow us on X @HeartNews, #AHA24 ###

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X  or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

END


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Heart disease more common in past redlined areas linked to limited access to healthy foods

2024-11-11
Research Highlights: Heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity were more common and linked to reduced access to healthy food among people who lived in neighborhoods previously subjected to structural racism-based policies that limited home ownership — an outlawed practice known as redlining. Researchers say testing interventions to help improve access to healthy food or boost social and economic resources could mitigate the still-present impact of outdated policies like redlining. Note: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract. Abstracts presented at American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the ...

Heart disease could hit up to 28 years sooner for people with CKM syndrome

2024-11-11
Research Highlights: Scientists conducted a simulation study to estimate the impact of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction. The study found that adults with chronic kidney disease would have elevated CVD risk eight years earlier than those without the disease. In addition, people with Type 2 diabetes would have an elevated CVD risk about a decade sooner than those without it. Among adults with both Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, women ...

MESA heart disease risk score worked well with or without race included

2024-11-11
Research Highlights: A version of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) heart disease risk score that did not include race predicted heart disease risk just as well as the original version that includes race. The original MESA risk score, developed in 2015[1], combines traditional risk factors, sex and race with a coronary artery calcium score. The MESA formula without race may be used for people who identify with more than one racial or ethnic group or those who prefer not to disclose their race or ethnicity. Note: The study featured in this ...

Bystander CPR up to 10 minutes after cardiac arrest may protect brain function

2024-11-11
This news release contains updated information and data not included in the abstract. Research Highlights: The sooner a lay rescuer (bystander) starts cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a person having a cardiac arrest at home or in public, up to 10 minutes after the arrest, the better the chances of survival and brain protection, according to an analysis of nearly 200,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in the U.S. from 2013 to 2022. Among the study’s findings, people who received CPR within two minutes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest had 81% higher odds of survival to release from the hospital ...

911 dispatcher assistance improved chances of receiving bystander CPR

2024-11-11
Research Highlights: A study of nearly 2,400 cardiac arrest cases in North Carolina found that when emergency dispatchers (telecommunicators) provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions to 911 callers, people were more likely to provide aid for both men and women. The study’s findings indicate that when a telecommunicator provided assistance to callers, bystander CPR was performed 44% of the time on women and 40% on men, compared to 9% on women and 11% on men when telecommunicator assistance was not provided. Researchers found the telecommunicator role critical in instructing bystanders to act quickly, possibly instrumental in reducing sex disparities ...

GLP-1, SGLT2 medications may lower stroke survivor’s risk of future heart attack, stroke

2024-11-11
Research Highlights: In an analysis of more than 7,000 stroke survivors, those who were taking either a GLP1-receptor agonist or an SGLT2 inhibitor medication had a lower risk of a subsequent stroke, heart attack or death compared to peers who were not prescribed the medications during a three-year follow up period. The analysis used health data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project collected from 2000 to 2022. The first GLP-1 medication was prescribed beginning in 2006, and the authors included cases beginning in 2000 to increase the power of the study, they noted. Note: The study featured in this news release ...

TYK2 transforms tau from ‘good guy’ to a ‘bad guy’ that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease

2024-11-11
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital and collaborating institutions discovered that the enzyme TYK2 transforms the normal protein tau into one that accumulates in the brain and contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease in animal models. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the study suggests that partially restraining TYK2 could be a strategy to reduce tau levels and toxicity. “Many studies have shown that the accumulation ...

Elephant seal colony declines one year after avian flu outbreak

Elephant seal colony declines one year after avian flu outbreak
2024-11-11
The sounds of barking elephant seals are again in the air along the breeding grounds of Península Valdés, Argentina—but it’s quieter. Almost exactly a year after a massive outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza killed more than 17,000 elephant seals, including about 97% of their pups, scientists estimate that only about a third of the elephant seals normally expected here returned. “It’s beautiful to walk the beaches now and hear elephant seals again,” said Marcela Uhart, director of the Latin America Program at the UC Davis Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center within ...

While more is better, even moderate amounts of exercise may reduce risk for common heart condition

2024-11-11
Adding an extra hour every week of physical activity may lower the chance of developing the most common type of irregular heartbeat (arrythmia) by 11%, a new study shows. Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the investigation focused on atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the heart’s upper two chambers beat rapidly and irregularly instead of at a consistent pace. If left untreated, this can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other issues. While past studies have linked exercise to reduced risk of this type of arrhythmia, nearly all of these analyses have relied on the participants’ ...

Researchers uncover new role of mutant proteins in some of the deadliest cancers

Researchers uncover new role of mutant proteins in some of the deadliest cancers
2024-11-11
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their collaborators have discovered a new way in which RAS genes, which are commonly mutated in cancer, may drive tumor growth beyond their well-known role in signaling at the cell surface. Mutant RAS, they found, helps to kick off a series of events involving the transport of specific nuclear proteins that lead to uncontrolled tumor growth, according to a study published November 11, 2024, in Nature Cancer. RAS genes are the second most frequently mutated genes in cancer, and mutant RAS proteins are key drivers of some of the deadliest cancers, ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Evolution of fast-growing fish-eating herring in the Baltic Sea

Cryptographic protocol enables secure data sharing in the floating wind energy sector

Can drinking coffee or tea help prevent head and neck cancer?

Development of a global innovative drug in eye drop form for treating dry age-related macular degeneration

Scientists unlock secrets behind flowering of the king of fruits

Texas A&M researchers illuminate the mysteries of icy ocean worlds

Prosthetic material could help reduce infections from intravenous catheters

Can the heart heal itself? New study says it can

Microscopic discovery in cancer cells could have a big impact

Rice researchers take ‘significant leap forward’ with quantum simulation of molecular electron transfer

Breakthrough new material brings affordable, sustainable future within grasp

How everyday activities inside your home can generate energy

Inequality weakens local governance and public satisfaction, study finds

Uncovering key molecular factors behind malaria’s deadliest strain

UC Davis researchers help decode the cause of aggressive breast cancer in women of color

Researchers discovered replication hubs for human norovirus

SNU researchers develop the world’s most sensitive flexible strain sensor

Tiny, wireless antennas use light to monitor cellular communication

Neutrality has played a pivotal, but under-examined, role in international relations, new research shows

Study reveals right whales live 130 years — or more

Researchers reveal how human eyelashes promote water drainage

Pollinators most vulnerable to rising global temperatures are flies, study shows

DFG to fund eight new research units

Modern AI systems have achieved Turing's vision, but not exactly how he hoped

Quantum walk computing unlocks new potential in quantum science and technology

Construction materials and household items are a part of a long-term carbon sink called the “technosphere”

First demonstration of quantum teleportation over busy Internet cables

Disparities and gaps in breast cancer screening for women ages 40 to 49

US tobacco 21 policies and potential mortality reductions by state

AI-driven approach reveals hidden hazards of chemical mixtures in rivers

[Press-News.org] Let’s talk about sex: Heart patients want guidance from health care professionals
American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024, Abstract MDP1162