Sex is a great way to unwind and release stress; not having that outlet could negatively impact your mental health and thereby affect your cardiovascular health. Stress can have an inflammatory effect on your body, but being chronically stressed can also lead you to make poor lifestyle choices like eating unhealthy and not exercising. Lying awake at night and worrying over things can affect your sleep too. All of these factors can cause a decline in your heart health.
Also, according to Dr. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, getting intimate with a partner makes you feel connected to them and can prevent feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. It goes without saying that your mental health is closely tied to your overall health, including your heart health.
Something happens to your estrogen and testosterone levels too when you stop having sex, and this can affect your heart, according to Dr. Joseph J. Pinzone, CEO and medical director of Amai Wellness (via WebMD). Sexual activity boosts these hormones, but low levels can lead to heart disease and other complications, per Dr. Pinzone. Now that you know some of the surprising ways that your sex life can impact your health, you might be wondering what sex might do to someone with existing cardiovascular issues.