Answering Your Questions about Heart Disease and Sex

by Eduardo Chapunoff

Book Overview

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HEART DISEASE AND SEX Answers for the questions that cardiac patients are too embarrassed to ask. Over 59 million Americans have heart disease, and they're concerned as... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578262550
• ISBN13: 9781578262557
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Hatherleigh Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Dr. Chapunoff is a master of knowing how to pull in his readers by presenting information that is cu

Author Eduardo Chapunoff, M.D. integrates both his professional experience as a cardiologist with good solid information in his Answering Your Questions About Heart Disease & Sex. As Dr. Chapunoff mentions in the introduction to the book, one of the most common problems in discussing sex with your health provider is embarrassment. And another problem is that only up to recently has there been a concerted effort to address in detail the subject matter. Even Dr. Chapunoff admits that before he wrote his book, he knew very little about advising patients as to the precautions they should take before, during, and after sexual intercourse. As a result, when he first set out to research the topic, he was astounded when he discovered that there was very little information pertaining to sex and the cardiac patient in classical medical and cardiology textbooks or in medical journals. Only during the last ten years has the subject been taken seriously with clinical research and clinical observations of heart disease patients and their sexual performance. In an upbeat, direct, straight forward conversational style, Answering Your Questions About Heart Disease & Sex provides basic facts about a multitude of concerns that directly or indirectly relate to cardiac patients and their sexual partners. Examples of some of the questions explored are when should a person be able to resume sexual activity after a massive heart attack? Are there any special sexual positions one should adopt after a heart attack? What is the danger to engage in passionate lovemaking if you have hypertension, heart failure, valvular heart disease, aortic aneurysm and/or cardiac rhythm disturbances? Dr. Chapunoff is a master of knowing how to pull in his readers by presenting information that is current and relevant to not only cardiac patients but also to others who may be thinking about the topic but were too shy or embarrassed to discuss it with their physicians. Divided into four parts, the book begins with the basic facts to sex and the heart. It is here where we learn about the reality of experiencing a heart attack and its ramifications insofar as concerns its benefits and yes, believe it or not, there are some interesting benefits. From here Dr. Chapunoff explains cardiovascular disease, sex, aging, sexual dysfunction, female perspective, risks of sex, communicating with your doctor and sexual partner, and what to do after a heart attack. Dr. Chapunoff also explains and explores erectile dysfunction, exercise, and nutrition. Quite interesting, Dr. Chapunoff states that the majority of doctors and patients avoid discussing the right time to resume sexual activity following a heart attack, an acute cardiac crisis or cardiac surgery. Unfortunately, this has led to many a patient deciding on their own when to once again become sexually active with some disastrous results. Unfortunately, as mentioned, the timing for resumption of sexual activity is not determined by a book

If you have a heart, read this book!

In writing, Answering Your Questions About Heart Disease And Sex, Eduardo Chapunoff, M.D., uses an intriguing, comfortable and witty format to address intimate health issues that are of particular concern to cardiac patients and their sexual partners. However, it would be a mistake for readers to pass up this book if they don't fit into this category because it contains a vast amount of information regarding the heart, and other physical and emotional concerns that any individual would find invaluable. The author uses dialogue to effectively convey some of the questions that patients ask after suffering heart attacks or being diagnosed with serious heart problems. Many of them want to know the risk factors involved in making love. Do they dare engage in passionate lovemaking and, if so, WHEN? Dr. Chapunoff is honest and forthright with his answers and provides general guidelines, while strongly emphasizing that only a patient's personal physician can provide the appropriate options and timing for sexual activity. This book is informative, well-researched and appropriate for professionals; however, it is not too technical for the average reader who may be desperately seeking answers. Other than a book entitled Sex and the Cardiac Patient published by the same author in 1991, there are no other books addressing the issues he covers. Dr. Chapunoff, with the writing of these two books, has opened a door to a long-neglected subject. He relates that many patients hesitate in discussing sex with their personal physicians because they feel that they don't know the physicians well enough or, perhaps, know them too well. Many times both the patient and physician are uncomfortable with the subject matter. The author strongly recommends that future physicians receive more exposure and training in sexology, psychology, and communications skills in medical school and during postgraduate training. As I read this book, I recalled the time when my ninety-one year old father confided in me that he had tried to talk with his family doctor about sex after suffering a severe heart attack. He said that the doctor was uncomfortable and at a loss for words. I could understand because I felt my face turning red-after all this was my dad and I just couldn't imagine him being sexual. Especially at his age! Though I wanted to run, I listened and later thought about the doctor who had brushed my father aside when he was seeking help. How I wish I'd had a copy of this book to give Dad and his physician. Dr. Chapunoff addresses a variety of subjects that will be of great interest and value to the cardiac patient. The first chapter is entitled Anatomy of a Heart Attack and the last chapter is fittingly named Planning for a Better Future. In between there are chapters that discuss instructions to patients, the benefits of a heart attack, masturbation, communication, extramarital affairs, sex following a cardiac crisis, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunc