Men with heart disease, especially those with abnormal heart rhythms, should avoid vigorous sexual activity because the physical exertion can place additional stress on the heart, doctors have warned.
Experts said heart disease and related conditions including hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol can impair blood flow and contribute to erectile dysfunction, so medical evaluation is important for men experiencing sexual difficulties.
They also cautioned against self‑medication with erectile‑dysfunction drugs and unregulated sexual‑enhancement products, saying some medicines can interact with heart or blood‑pressure drugs and cause dangerous changes in blood pressure.
The warning coincided with World Heart Day on September 29 and the World Heart Federation’s 2026 campaign, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” which highlights the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
The World Health Organization said cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 19.8 million deaths in 2022 about 32 percent of all deaths. In Nigeria, WHO estimates show 19.1 million adults aged 30 to 79 had hypertension in 2019, and cardiovascular diseases accounted for 147,000 deaths that year. Only 11 percent of adults with hypertension had their blood pressure controlled.
PUNCH Healthwise has reported that men with underlying heart conditions can be at risk during prolonged or strenuous sexual activity, and cardiologists warn that excessive exertion can place additional stress on weakened hearts.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Dr. John Asekhame, consultant cardiologist at Providence Multispecialty Hospital, Asokoro, Abuja, said sexual activity is a form of physical exertion that increases the body’s energy demand and requires the heart to pump more blood.
“Sex is a form of physical exertion. It increases the energy demand, blood pumping, hormones and stimulation, and it affects the heart,” Asekhame said. He noted that the risk depends on the type and stage of heart disease — for example, men with controlled hypertension may safely have sex, while those with advanced heart failure could face serious complications.
Asekhame urged men not to take erectile‑dysfunction medicines without medical advice, saying the drugs affect the heart differently depending on the underlying condition. He also warned against sexual‑enhancement sweets, gums and chocolates, which may contain substances that react adversely with prescription medicines or place additional stress on the heart.
He advised men who experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, pounding heartbeat, weakness or fainting during or after sex to seek medical attention if symptoms persist. He recommended routine heart checks for men over 40, including basic tests such as an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.
Dr. Rotimi Adesanya, public health physician and director of medical services at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, said erectile dysfunction is a common complaint that can be linked to heart disease and other conditions. “Men with erectile dysfunction need to see a physician for proper evaluation. Their heart, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels need to be assessed,” he said.
Adesanya warned that buying Viagra and other erectile‑dysfunction drugs from vendors or chemists without medical guidance is risky because these medicines can lower blood pressure and interact with hypertension drugs. He also cited stigma as a reason many men delay seeking care and cautioned against stopping prescribed blood‑pressure medication without consulting a doctor.
He urged men, particularly those over 40, to undergo routine screening for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol and to consult a physician before using erectile‑dysfunction or sexual‑enhancement products.
