BACKGROUND: Despite its clinical and social relevance, resumption of sexual activity after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a subject that is poorly addressed by healthcare providers and one that is given scant emphasis during hospitalization. Erectile dysfunction is a common complaint among cardiac patients, and these patients are in doubt regarding the safety of resuming sexual activity after a cardiovascular event. OBJECTIVE: To describe how well informed patients are in regard to acute an myocardial infarction (AMI) and what sort of guidance they receive regarding resumption of sexual activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed from June to July 2005 with patients on the sixth day of AMI. A questionnaire was applied to assess not only patients' knowledge of AMI, but also their expectations regarding their resumption of sexual activity - and frequency of same - following hospital discharge. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were included in the study (mean age 59 ± 12); 70% of them were male and 80% had experienced their first AMI. Of these, 96% lacked any knowledge of AMI clinical manifestations and possible limitations, 63% reported an active sex life before the event, 60% were in doubt regarding their sex life following hospital discharge, and only 4% received sexual guidance from healthcare providers during their hospital stay. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, the recommendations patients receive during hospitalization are suboptimal in regard to both AMI and resumption of sexual activity. The updating of healthcare providers may change this situation. This is especially true for the nursing staff, since they spend more time with patients.
Myocardial infarction; sexual behavior; nurses
