- Frequent sex reduced the risk of heart problems for women in later life
- Men in same age group who had sex once a week doubled their heart risk
- Study was conducted by scientists from Michigan State University
Ben Spencer Medical Correspondent For The Daily Mail
40
View
comments
For older couples who enjoy an active love life, there’s some good news… and some bad news.
Experts in the US have found that frequent – and satisfying – sex significantly reduced the risk of heart problems for women in later life.
But men from the same age group who had sex once a week or more actually doubled their heart risk compared to those who were sexually inactive.
In the first large-scale study of how sex affects elderly hearts, women over the age of 57 were half as likely to develop high blood pressure – a major cause of heart attacks and strokes – if they still had frequent, satisfying sex.
Scroll down for video
Experts in the US have found that frequent – and satisfying – sex significantly reduced the risk of heart problems for women in later life
The scientists, from Michigan State University, found that women who said they had ‘extremely physically pleasurable’ sex were 47 per cent less likely to develop high blood pressure within five years.
The rush of beneficial hormones and the emotional boost of being in a loving relationship are thought to be behind the boost to women’s health.
Meanwhile men were almost twice as likely to suffer a ‘cardiovascular event’, such as heart attacks and angina, if they had sex at least once a week.
The damage to their health could be because older men suffer more sexual problems and then put themselves under more strain if they try to make love, the researchers said.
-
How often do you wash YOUR sheets? Expert reveals the…
The great £2billion payoff: 3,000 NHS bosses receive…
The team interviewed 2,200 people aged between 57 and 85 about their sexual activity and then tracked their health over five years.
Study leader Dr Hui Liu, an associate professor of sociology at the university, said: ‘These findings challenge the widely held assumption that sex brings uniform health benefits to everyone.
‘For women, we have good news – good sexual quality may protect older women from cardiovascular risk in later life.’
The scientists found that women who said they had ‘extremely physically pleasurable’ sex were 47 per cent less likely to develop high blood pressure within five years
Dr Liu, whose work is published in the journal Sexual Behaviours and Social Relationships, explained that being in a strong, close relationship is an important source of social and emotional support, which may reduce stress and promote psychological well-being and, in turn, cardiovascular health.
But she said: ‘This may be more relevant to women than to men, because men in all relationships, regardless of quality, are more likely to receive support from their partner than are women.
‘However, only women in good quality relationships may acquire such benefits from their partner.’
Dr Liu went on: ‘Strikingly, we find that having sex once a week or more puts older men at a risk for experiencing cardiovascular events that is almost two times greater than older men who are sexually inactive.
‘Moreover, older men who found sex with their partner extremely pleasurable or satisfying had higher risk of cardiovascular events than men who did not feel so.’
But men from the same age group who had sex once a week or more actually doubled their heart risk compared to those who were sexually inactive
She said the findings suggest the strain from a sexual relationship may be more relevant for men as they get older, become increasingly frail and suffer more sexual problems.
‘Because older men have more difficulties reaching orgasm for medical or emotional reasons than do their younger counterparts, they may exert themselves to a greater degree of exhaustion and create more stress on their cardiovascular system in order to achieve climax,’ she said.
Dr Liu also suggested testosterone levels and the use of Viagra and other medications to improve sexual function may also play a role, saying: ‘Although scientific evidence is still rare, it is likely such sexual medication or supplements have negative effects on older men’s cardiovascular health.’
While moderate amounts of sex may promote health among older men, Dr Liu added that doctors ‘should talk to older male patients about potential risks of high levels of sexual activity and perhaps screen those who frequently have sex for cardiovascular issues’.
Share or comment on this article
-
e-mail
Most watched News videos
-
Concrete pier is washed away in the wake of giant cruise ship -
Hillary Clinton suffers debilitating coughing fit in Ohio -
Shocking Twitter video shows Hermine hit cruise ship -
Florida hunter sacrifices python to save a deer in Everglades -
‘What if I killed your cat?’: Piers infuriates 12-year-old hunter -
Does this mysterious footage capture Bigfoot in California? -
Daughter scolds dad about always leaving up the toilet seat -
Shocking moment pet owner is caught up in vicious dog fight -
Wife and mistress grapple on the floor during hospital visit -
Hillary Clinton coughs again as she mentions Trump at rally -
Dive team explores wreck of Nazi U-Boat sunk off N Carolina -
Armed protesters outside the house of Brock Turner’s parents
-
Kanye West faces furious backlash after putting out casting…
-
Playboy model who mocked pensioner’s body at the gym is set…
-
Village where one in 10 residents live to be 100 says the…
-
All choked up! Hillary Clinton is caught up in a marathon…
-
Obama gives Putin his best death stare: Tense moment the…
-
Legendary former Apple engineer, 54, is REJECTED for a job…
-
‘What if I killed your pet cat?’ Piers Morgan infuriates an…
-
Is this proof that China is arming North Korea? Missiles…
-
‘Oh, my luggage!’ Bizarre moment Dr Ben Carson walks out of…
-
Driver, 20, who pulled up in an SUV and ‘shot a 13-year-old…
-
Heartbreak for Florida grandmother, 65, told to tear down…
-
‘It’s the least I can do’: Now U.S. soccer star and World…
Comments (40)
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now