yes and it's often related to the emotions that follow a diagnosis of heart disease. it influences people's lives in many different ways and sexual activity is one of them. a new diagnosis of heart disease -- or even a surgical scar -- can make people feel less attractive. some drugs have side effects that diminish sexual interest and performance. when patients feel angry and frustrated it affects not only their sex lives but also their "couple" relationships. for many people heart disease is the first significant diagnosis they ever have. think of individuals in their 40s or 50s who have a sudden heart attack; they didn't know they had this disease process going on and now they do. that realization of mortality and potential limits and imperfections is really hard to take. many people with heart disease feel that shift so abruptly. they question themselves and what they're capable of doing. and that's part of the reason why there are anxieties and concerns about sexual activity. we know depression is extremely common after a heart attack especially for women.
do some men and women lose sexual interest after being diagnosed with heart disease?