What if one of the most enjoyable activities could also be one of the best things for your heart? Research shows that regular sex can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Rather than being harmful, sex can benefit your heart health. Research indicates that men who engage in sex at least twice a week and women who report having fulfilling sex lives have a lower risk of experiencing a heart attack.

The protective benefits may be many: Sex is a form of exercise that helps strengthen your heart, lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and improve sleep. In addition, intimacy in a relationship can increase bonding. Strong social connections can lower feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety, which have been linked to higher heart disease risk.“As long as your doctor has given you the go-ahead and you aren’t experiencing any symptoms, it’s OK to return to your normal activities,” says Dr. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease.

There are several reasons to expect sex to affect cardiovascular health. First, sexual activity is a form of exercise. During sexual intercourse as well as foreplay, both men and women experience stretching of muscles and tendons, flexion of joints, and hormone fluctuation, which may promote cardiovascular fitness. Yet, there are also clinical concerns that sexual activity may precipitate acute cardiac events for patients with a prior history of cardiovascular disease. Second, the intimacy built into a sexual relationship is a source of emotional and social support, which is a key component that defines life context and in turn, shapes health. Third, sexuality and satisfaction reduce exposure to stress, modify the response to stress and promote recovery from stress, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Sexual activity triggers a physiological response that can have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. During sex, the body releases various hormones, including oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. The physical activity involved in sex can also help improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and blood flow. Oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” plays a crucial role in the physiological response to sex. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting feelings of relaxation and bonding. Oxytocin has also been shown to have a positive impact on cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and improving blood vessel function.

The primary fear regarding intimacy for most people with heart disease is being scared that having sex will cause a heart attack. While sexual activity does increase your heart rate, it’s not something that most people with stable heart disease should worry about. In general, if you’re able to climb stairs or jog or walk a mile without difficulty, it’s safe for you to have sex. “The possibility of having a heart attack during sexual activity is exceedingly low and shouldn’t scare you away,” says Dr. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease.

You should abstain from any heavy physical exertion, including sex, until you see a doctor if you have heart disease symptoms such as chest pain, or shortness of breath.

In conclusion, by encouraging relaxation, lowering stress and anxiety, and enhancing general cardiovascular health, sex can lower your chance of having a heart attack. People with heart failure can have a fulfilling and healthy sexual life while lowering their risk of heart disease by adhering to a cardiac rehabilitation plan and getting therapy for sexual problems. So go ahead and have some intimacy; your heart will appreciate it!