Sexual activity as a trigger of myocardial infarction. A case-crossover analysis in the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Programme (SHEEP).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate sexual activity as a trigger of myocardial infarction and the potential effect modification of physical fitness.


METHODS
A case-crossover study nested in the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Programme (SHEEP).


METHODS
Stockholm County from April 1993 to December 1994.


METHODS
All patients with a first episode of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction admitted to coronary care units were eligible, and 699 patients participated in an interview.


METHODS
Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals.


RESULTS
Only 1.3% of the patients without premonitory symptoms had sexual activity during two hours before the onset of myocardial infarction. The relative risk of myocardial infarction was 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7 to 6.5) during one hour after sexual activity, and the risk among patients with a sedentary life was 4.4 (95% CI 1.5 to 12.9).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased risk of myocardial infarction after sexual activity and the further increase in risk among the less physically fit support the hypothesis of causal triggering by sexual activity. However, the absolute risk per hour is very low, and exposure is relatively infrequent. Thus having sex once a week only increases the annual risk of myocardial infarction slightly. Counselling should focus on encouraging patients to live a physically active life and not on abstaining from sexual activity.
Möller
J
J
Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Norrbacka, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. jette.moller@phs.ki.se
Ahlbom
A
A
Hulting
J
J
Diderichsen
F
F
de Faire
U
U
Reuterwall
C
C
Hallqvist
J
J
D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors