Sexual problems and relationship satisfaction among people with cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Background: Sexual problems are common among people with cardiovascular disease. Marital or intimate relationship satisfaction is generally positively correlated with sexual satisfaction, but this relationship has not been examined among people with cardiovascular disease. We aimed to answer: Are sexual problems related to satisfaction with relationships among people with cardiovascular disease? Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 382 people with cardiovascular disease (32% response rate) recruited from six hospital cardiac rehabilitation centres in Ireland. Data were gathered on: demographic and clinical variables, sexual problems, and relationship satisfaction, including satisfaction with the physical, emotional, affection and communication aspects of relationships. Comparisons between people reporting sexual problems and those not reporting sexual problems were conducted using independent samples t-tests. Findings: Two-hundred-and-one people reported that they were currently in a sexual relationship with one main partner. When we compared people who reported sexual problems (n=108) with those without sexual problems (n=89), there were no significant differences in any aspect of relationship satisfaction, including mean levels of reported physical satisfaction (t(195)=-.726, p=.47), emotional satisfaction (t(194)=-.632, p=.52), satisfaction with showing affection (t(194)=-.805, p=.80), or satisfaction with communication about sex within relationships (t(194)=-.705, p=.48). Discussion: Experiencing sexual problems does not seem to impact on satisfaction with relationships. Satisfaction with communication about sex was lower than satisfaction with other aspects of relationships among this sample. Improving ability to communicate effectively about sex between couples may have the potential to reduce the experience of sexual problems among patients with cardiovascular disease.