Evidently, this is an issue that often goes unaddressed with patients (not by me, I think).Patients who have had a heart attack are usually and rightly concerned about what they can safely do, and how hard they can push their own bodies without harm. Their partners and family may be equally concerned about whether physical activity including sexual intercourse could be dangerous or harmful.
For most patients, sexual activity is perfectly safe within the few weeks after going home from the hospital assuming you feel generally up to it.
This frequently asked question list is helpful and reasonably specific, and notes that sexual activity (in terms of demand on your heart) is moderate and falls in between showering and gardening in terms of metabolic demand.
[Do note that if you use medication for erectile dysfunction (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis) you should not use them with nitroglycerin- containing heart medications (such as Imdur, IsMo, sub-lingual nitroglycerin) because sudden decreases in your blood pressure could result.]
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