{"id":158,"date":"2007-09-01T09:49:29","date_gmt":"2007-09-01T14:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2007\/09\/01\/sex-after-heart-surgery\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T09:41:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T14:41:14","slug":"sex-after-heart-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2007\/09\/01\/sex-after-heart-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Sex After Heart Surgery: What Should Patients Know?"},"content":{"rendered":"

During my recovery from aortic and pulmonary valve replacements<\/a>, there were many memorable experiences. There were “highs” during my recovery – my engagement to Robyn. And, there were “lows” during my recovery – cardiac depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That said, one of the more memorable experiences dealt with sex after heart surgery.<\/p>\n

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As you would imagine, this is a a very common question when I chat with patients and caregivers about the recovery from cardiac procedures including heart valve repair and heart valve replacement. The question usually goes like this, “How long until I\/we can have sex after heart surgery?”<\/p>\n

Well…<\/p>\n

During my recovery, I did muster up the uncomfortable courage to ask Nurse Carrie this exact question about sex after heart surgery<\/em>. Carrie looked at me and said, “Can you walk up two flights of stairs?”<\/p>\n

I nodded yes.<\/p>\n

Carrie exclaimed, “You’re good to go sailor! It’s time for sex after heart surgery! I hereby give you permission to do the Wild Thing!”<\/p>\n

I laughed out loud.<\/p>\n

It was a classic moment that belonged in some sort of fantastic movie.<\/p>\n

FYI, this conversation between Nurse Carrie and I happened about four weeks after my double valve replacement surgery. However, you should know that while this story is quite playful, there are a number of post-operative issues which may inhibit the patient’s desire to re-engage in sexual activity following surgery.<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n