TY - JOUR
T1 - Sexual counselling for individuals with cardiovascular disease and their partners
T2 - A Consensus Document from the American Heart Association and the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP)
AU - Steinke, Elaine E.
AU - Jaarsma, Tiny
AU - Barnason, Susan Ann
AU - Byrne, Molly
AU - Doherty, Sally
AU - Dougherty, Cynthia M.
AU - Fridlund, Bengt
AU - Kautz, Donald D.
AU - Mårtensson, Jan
AU - Mosack, Victoria
AU - Moser, Debra K.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2013/11/1
Y1 - 2013/11/1
N2 - After a cardiovascular event, patients and their families often copewith numerous changes in their lives, including dealing with consequences of the disease or its treatment on their daily lives and functioning. Coping poorly with both physical and psychological challenges may lead to impaired quality of life. Sexuality is one aspect of quality of life that is important for many patients and partners that may be adversely affected by a cardiac event. TheWorld Health Organization defines sexual health as '. . . a state of physical, emotional, mental and socialwell-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences. 1(p4) The safety and timing of return to sexual activity after a cardiac event have been well addressed in an American Heart Association scientific statement, and decreased sexual activity among cardiac patients is frequently reported.2 Rates of erectile dysfunction (ED) among men with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are twice as high as those in the general population, with similar rates of sexual dysfunction in females with CVD.3 ED and vaginal dryness may also be presenting signs of heart disease and may appear 1-3 years before the onset of angina pectoris. Estimates reflect that only a small percentage of those with sexual dysfunction seek medical care;4 therefore, routine assessment of sexual problems and sexual counselling may be of benefit as part of effective management by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
AB - After a cardiovascular event, patients and their families often copewith numerous changes in their lives, including dealing with consequences of the disease or its treatment on their daily lives and functioning. Coping poorly with both physical and psychological challenges may lead to impaired quality of life. Sexuality is one aspect of quality of life that is important for many patients and partners that may be adversely affected by a cardiac event. TheWorld Health Organization defines sexual health as '. . . a state of physical, emotional, mental and socialwell-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences. 1(p4) The safety and timing of return to sexual activity after a cardiac event have been well addressed in an American Heart Association scientific statement, and decreased sexual activity among cardiac patients is frequently reported.2 Rates of erectile dysfunction (ED) among men with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are twice as high as those in the general population, with similar rates of sexual dysfunction in females with CVD.3 ED and vaginal dryness may also be presenting signs of heart disease and may appear 1-3 years before the onset of angina pectoris. Estimates reflect that only a small percentage of those with sexual dysfunction seek medical care;4 therefore, routine assessment of sexual problems and sexual counselling may be of benefit as part of effective management by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
KW - AHA Scientific Statements
KW - Cardiovascular disease
KW - Sex
KW - Sex counselling
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84890045375&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84890045375&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/eurheartj/eht270
DO - 10.1093/eurheartj/eht270
M3 - Article
C2 - 23900695
AN - SCOPUS:84890045375
SN - 0195-668X
VL - 34
SP - 3217-3235d
JO - European Heart Journal
JF - European Heart Journal
IS - 41
ER -