New research presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2024 Scientific Sessions has uncovered a significant disconnect between patients' needs and healthcare providers' practices regarding sexual health guidance for cardiovascular patients.
The Swedish study, which surveyed 133 adults aged 30 to 89 with various cardiovascular conditions, revealed that an overwhelming majority of patients desire sexual health information but rarely receive it. The average age of participants was 65, and they represented a diverse range of cardiovascular conditions including hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, and previous heart attacks.
Key Patient Concerns and Information Gaps
The survey identified several priority areas where patients seek guidance:
- Medication side effects (60% of respondents)
- Erectile dysfunction (50%)
- Impact on relationships (47%)
- Anxiety before sexual activity (35%)
- Pain during intercourse (13% of women)
Perhaps most striking was the disparity between information needs and delivery - while 78% of patients wanted sexual health information, only 5% reported receiving it. Gender differences were notable, with 87% of men seeking information compared to 64% of women.
Impact on Well-being and Gender Differences
The study revealed significant gender disparities in perceived impact of cardiovascular disease on sexual health. Among male participants, 65% believed their heart condition affected their sexual health, compared to 35% of women. Overall, 76% of respondents indicated that sexual health influences their mood and general well-being.
"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," noted Tiny Jaarsma, PhD, professor of nursing at the University of Linkoping in Sweden.
Healthcare Delivery and Professional Guidance
The research highlighted patients' strong preference for receiving sexual health information from healthcare professionals, with 79% favoring direct conversations with their healthcare team. Additionally, 43% expressed interest in receiving information through various sources at different times.
Current AHA guidelines recommend that individuals with heart disease, prior heart attacks, or strokes should consult healthcare professionals before resuming sexual activity. However, the study suggests these conversations aren't happening consistently in clinical practice.
Role of Community Pharmacists
Community pharmacists are emerging as valuable resources for sexual health guidance. A comprehensive review of 41 studies demonstrated that pharmacist-delivered sexual and reproductive health services are both feasible and effective, particularly for vulnerable populations. However, challenges remain in areas such as workflow integration, regulatory frameworks, and reimbursement structures.
Moving Forward: Normalizing Sexual Health Discussions
Professor Jaarsma advocates for a fundamental shift in healthcare practices: "Healthcare professionals should change their patient standards to make discussing sexual health a standard and respectable topic in healthcare settings." She emphasizes the importance of treating sexual health discussions with the same routine consideration as vaccination status, diet, and exercise habits.
