![Sample our Social Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110822/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Social-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyse the perceptions of importance of, satisfaction with, and ease in talking about sex life with an important other as well as the expression of interest in sex (libido) among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in a prospective mail survey. The random sample was stratified according to gender and age. Responses from 15,477 men and women (39% response) in three age groups (30–34, 40–44, and 50–54 years) revealed 319 CHD patients: 134 with a heart infarction (80.9% men) and 185 without one (56.1% men). Each patient had four gender- and age-matched controls. Compared with the control group, many more individuals of the heart infarction group perceived their sex lives as ‘not important’. Satisfaction with sex life was slightly less evident in the CHD groups than in the control groups but the differences were not statistically significant. Compared with the control groups, the proportions of individuals with no recent change in interest in sex were significantly lower in the heart infarction groups and among men in the angina pectoris group. GPs should discuss sex life issues with CHD patients and lead them back to normal life.