Benefits of sex to reduce the risk of heart disease

Sex is not only enjoyable, but has also been shown to provide various health benefits. Apart from being able to relieve stress and relieve headaches, sex has been shown to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Amazing, right? For more details about the benefits of sex for the heart, see the explanation below.

What is the relationship between sex and heart health?

Reporting from Everyday Health, a 2010 study in the American Journal of Cardiology found that men who have sex at least once every two weeks have a lower risk of heart disease than those who only have sex once a month.

A heart specialist at Fairview Hospital, United States, dr. Dean Nukta said in Everyday Health that sex and heart health influence each other. For example, if you have a healthy heart, you may be making love more often. In addition, sex can also reduce the risk of having a heart attack.

Reporting from the Medical Daily, engaging in sexual activity can reduce homocysteine, a sulfur chemical that contains amino acids and is found in the blood. The higher the homocysteine content, the higher the risk of clogged arteries or sclerosis. In fact, a smooth blood flow is needed by the heart so that it can function properly.

Another study was conducted in 2005 to 2006 by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States. This research involved 2,000 men and women aged between 20 and 59 years. They underwent a test of homocysteine levels in the blood and filled out a questionnaire about their sexual activity.

The questionnaire showed that men with low homocysteine levels had sex every other week while people with high homocysteine levels had sex only once a month. However, there was no significant difference in women.

The proven benefits of sex for men's hearts

Sex is good for heart health. However, how exactly does sex prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease in men? Here are three benefits of sex for your heart.

1. Sex lowers blood pressure

According to a number of studies, having sex has been shown to be able to lower systolic blood pressure or "upper" blood pressure. In addition, sex is also able to reduce homocysteine levels in the blood so that it can reduce the risk of blockage of blood vessels. Smooth blood vessels mean you are safer from heart attacks.

2. Sex can reduce stress

Apart from cultivating offspring, sex is also used to relieve fatigue and express love. Hence, sex can reduce stress hormones. The reason is, too many stress hormones in the body can spur the heart's work continuously and increase blood pressure. As a result, you are more susceptible to heart disease.

3. Sex is good for emotional health

Sex that is done regularly is a form of mutual support and affection for one another in an emotional relationship. Generally, this form of mutual support and compassion or love is good for the heart because it takes you away from stress, anger, anxiety, and loneliness. According to various studies, these things contribute as much to heart attack risk as smoking and high cholesterol.

If so, can making love alone protect me from heart disease?

Sex can indeed improve heart health. However, that doesn't mean you keep having sex until you forget to pay attention to anything else. Sexual activity can transmit venereal disease, so you should keep sex as safe as possible. For example, by not changing sexual partners because it actually increases the risk of contracting the disease. Do not let because you want a healthy heart, you even get new diseases.

In addition, maintaining a healthy heart is a comprehensive endeavor. That is, you still need to maintain a balanced diet, live a healthy lifestyle, get adequate rest, and exercise regularly. If you do have a risk of heart disease, it never hurts to always check and control blood pressure.