Chances of heart attack minimal

Physician Dr Gontse Lesufi says although death occurring during sex is a reality, there really isn’t any cause for hysteria.

This is because chances of having a heart attack during sex are minimal, especially for those with no known heart problems, he says.

“It is firstly important to understand that a heart attack can occur at any time, whether one is physically active or not. In fact, the majority of heart attacks recorded have occurred when people were resting.

However, Lesufi says that people older than 50 and those with cardiovascular diseases may be more at risk of death during sex, and should consult their doctor for advice about which type of sexual activity is safe.

“An example of safety precautions your doctor may recommend is avoiding lying on your back during sex, as your lungs may have an influx of fluid.

“However, there are many reasons why the heart may experience problems during sex ... One of the possible biggest reasons can be arteriosclerotic vascular disease, which happens when one’s arteries have a build-up of cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances.

“This build-up leads to plaque, which as time goes by causes the arteries to be narrower and inflexible.

“So in the case of sexual activity, the heart beat may escalate to 120 beats per minute, and because of the plaque blocking the arteries, the heart will be unable to get the necessary oxygen and nutrients, which can result in a heart attack or even death,” he says.