Iyanuoluwa Abiola
Men with heart disease, especially when the condition is associated with abnormal heart rhythms, should avoid rigorous sexual activity, as the physical exertion can place additional stress on the heart, doctors have warned.
The experts noted that heart disease and other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol can affect men’s sexual health by impairing blood flow and contributing to erectile dysfunction, making medical evaluation important for men experiencing sexual difficulties.
They further warned men against self-medicating with erectile dysfunction drugs and sexual enhancement products, stressing that some of the medicines could interact with existing heart or blood pressure drugs and cause dangerous changes in blood pressure.
The doctors’ warning comes as the global community marked World Heart Day on September 29, with the World Heart Federation’s 2026 campaign tagged, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” highlighting the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
The World Health Organisation said cardiovascular diseases remained the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 19.8 million people dying from the conditions in 2022, representing approximately 32 per cent of all global deaths.
In Nigeria, the WHO estimated that 19.1 million adults aged 30 to 79 had hypertension in 2019, while cardiovascular diseases accounted for 147,000 deaths that year. Only 11 per cent of adults with hypertension had their blood pressure controlled.
PUNCH Healthwise had previously reported that men with underlying heart conditions could be at risk during prolonged or strenuous sexual activity, with cardiologists warning that excessive physical exertion could place additional stress on weakened hearts.
Another report in February 2025 also showed that heart conditions, including high blood pressure and heart failure, could affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection because erection depends on adequate blood flow to the penis.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, a Consultant Cardiologist at Providence Multispecialty Hospital, Asokoro, Abuja, Dr John Asekhame, explained that sexual activity is a form of physical exertion that increases the body’s energy demand and requires the heart to pump more blood.
He noted that heart disease was a broad term covering several conditions, including damaged heart valves, hypertension, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms, adding that the effect of sexual activity depended on the type and stage of the condition.
“Sex is a form of physical exertion. It increases the energy demand, blood pumping, hormones and stimulation, and it affects the heart,” Asekhame stated.
He explained that men with controlled hypertension could engage in sexual activity, but warned that those with advanced heart failure could experience serious complications when the heart was subjected to additional physical stress.
Asekhame further cautioned men against taking erectile dysfunction medicines without medical advice, noting that the drugs could affect the heart differently depending on the underlying condition.
“Men should see their doctor to know which erectile dysfunction drug is safe for them,” he stressed.
He also warned against taking sexual enhancement sweets, gums and chocolates, noting that some of the products could contain substances capable of reacting adversely with some medications being used or placing additional stress on the heart.
Asekhame noted that men of different ages could be diagnosed and treated for erectile dysfunction, advising men to discuss their symptoms with a doctor rather than resort to over-the-counter sexual enhancement products.
The cardiologist further stated that erectile dysfunction could sometimes be associated with other health problems such as diabetes.
He advised men experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, pounding heartbeat, weakness or a feeling of fainting during or after sex to seek medical attention if such symptoms persisted.
Asekhame also recommended that men above 40 undergo routine heart checks, including basic tests such as an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, to establish their cardiovascular health status.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, a Public Health Physician and Director of Medical Services, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Dr Rotimi Adesanya, said erectile dysfunction was one of the major sexual complaints among men and could be linked to heart disease and other conditions.
He explained that an erection depends on adequate blood flow to the penis, adding that conditions that affect circulation, including hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, could contribute to erectile dysfunction.
“Men with erectile dysfunction need to see a physician for proper evaluation. Their heart, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels need to be assessed,” Adesanya explained.
The physician stated that many men resorted to buying Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medicines from vendors and chemists without first determining whether the drugs were appropriate for them.
He warned that erectile dysfunction drugs could lower blood pressure, creating a potential problem for men who were already taking medicines for hypertension.
“If the blood pressure becomes too low during sexual activity, it can have serious consequences,” he warned.
Adesanya also identified stigma as a major reason some men delay seeking help for sexual problems, noting that many would rather self-medicate than openly discuss erectile dysfunction with a doctor.
He cautioned men against stopping their blood pressure medication because they suspected it was responsible for erectile dysfunction, noting that the underlying hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease could itself be contributing to the problem.
The physician urged men, particularly those above 40, to undergo routine screening for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol and to seek medical advice before using erectile dysfunction or sexual enhancement drugs.
“Do not just take Viagra or buy products from unregulated sources. See a physician and have yourself properly checked,” Adesanya stressed.
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