Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

S
sexual activity and cardiovascular disease
HEART ATTACK, STROKE, major HEART surgery such as
CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT (CABG) or HEART
TRANSPLANTATION, or the diagnosis of a cardiovascular
condition such as HYPERTENSION (high BLOOD
PRESSURE) or CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) often
causes worry and fear that sexual activity may
harm the heart. Such concerns are common
though generally have no medical basis. Sexual
intercourse requires about the same level of cardiovascular
response from the body as walking up
three flights of stairs. Following a cardiovascular
event, most people may resume sexual activity
when they regain interest.
These preparations may make the return to
sexual activity more enjoyable:
• Plan sexual activity for when both partners are
well rested, relaxed, and have no time constraints.
• Plan sexual activity to take place two to three
hours after eating a meal, to allow digestion to
take place. Digestion diverts more of the body’s
blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract.
• Choose a location that is comfortable and free
from distractions such as the telephone or
interruptions.
• Choose less strenuous positions and have extra
pillows available for added support.
• Be patient and focus on the intimacy of being
together.
People who have had OPEN HEART SURGERY or
who have residual complications resulting from
stroke may feel unsure of their physical attractiveness.
Open, honest communication between partners
can help put these concerns in perspective
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and allow each partner to express his or her feelings.
See also LIVING WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE;
QUALITY OF LIFE.
sick sinus syndrome A collective term for
ARRHYTHMIA disorders that arise from dysfunction
of the SINOATRIAL (SA) NODE and the electrical conduction
network within the HEART. The SA node
may stop functioning, or there may be a disruption
in the pathway for the electrical impulses the
SA node generates. Generally sick sinus syndrome
results in bradycardia (slow HEART RATE). Key
symptoms include fatigue and SYNCOPE (fainting).
Sick sinus syndrome may also be present without
symptoms, in which case it does not usually
require treatment. ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)
reveals the abnormal electrical pacing impulses
and provides the diagnosis. Treatment is nearly
always an implantable PACEMAKER to maintain an
adequate heart rate.
See also ATRIOVENTRICULAR (AV) NODE; BUNDLE
BRANCH; BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK; LONG QT SYNDROME
(LQTS); WOLFF-PARKINSON-WHITE SYNDROME.
sinoatrial (SA) node A small cluster of specialized
NERVE and MUSCLE fibers located in the upper
wall of the heart’s right atrium. The SA node initiates
the electrical pacing impulse that causes the
HEART to contract. In the healthy heart the electrical
impulse spreads in an orderly and synchronized
pattern through the two atria, causing them
to contract. The ATRIOVENTRICULAR (AV) NODE, a second
small cluster of specialized nerve and muscle
fibers located in the wall of the heart between the
atria and the ventricles, picks up the impulse,
amplifies it, and sends it through the ventricles to
cause them to contract.