(Foreword: This is the continuation of our letter response to James of SV regarding his concern on dying because of sex.)
DEAR James of SV,
I really understand your part. When you have heart concerns, the thought of your safety would really come to the fore. I couldn’t blame you. Who wouldn’t think about that? I believe anyone who has the same condition as you do would worry just like you do.
The good news here is, sex is really safe for almost all of the patients who have heart problems, except for those who can’t even lift a finger to do anything in the house. But, if you can still make your bed or clean your room or as I have said before, if you can climb two flights of stairs, with no problem at all, then, you will be fine. You should not worry a bit. You know what I am worried about is when your worries will take you down to your grave, than having yourself enjoying the pleasures of sex.
I just hope that your cardiologist have talked to you about the information on the sex side to calm your fears. Otherwise, your fears may worsen your heart problem…hehe.. It is really very important to know that most of the heart patients can really return safely to their usual sexual activity – which makes them feel that they have really returned to their life. Once you have that feel that you are back to life, then, life becomes more meaningful to you and more likely you will be able to survive more from life and its challenges.
Now, I have more good news for you and other guys down the road who have the same heart problem as you do, those people who have cardiac arrest while they have sex have almost twice the chance to survive. This is as reported in a recent study which showed that about 19 percent of the patients in sex-related cardiac arrest cases survived their ordeal, compared with an average survival rate of around 10 percent.
So, the take in this story is.. Don’t take your unfounded fears with you. Throw those sorrows away. It will never give you anything good. Learn about your condition. Learn to conquer your fears. When you do this, you will be invincible and only then, you will be able to savor life to the fullest – again!
Well, I hope that helps. Good luck!
Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)