Sexual activity after first acute myocardial infarction in middle-aged men: Demographic, psychological and medical predictors

The study examined important diverse sociodemographic, medical and psycholo gical variables as potential predictors of sexual activity frequency/satisf action in male patients following a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) . The sample comprised 276 Israeli male patients, age range 30-65 years, wi th a documented first AMI who were admitted to any of eight medical centers in Israel. All patients were sexually active prior to AMI. Data were elici ted from interviews and medical charts on two occasions: before discharge a nd 3-6 months after AMI. The research variables explained a greater extent of the variance in sexual activity frequency than in satisfaction 3-6 month s after AMI (32 and 23%, respectively). Sexual activity frequency/satisfact ion prior to AMI were the major contributors to frequency/satisfaction afte r AMI. Of the other variables, age and education were the major contributor s to sexual activity frequency; of these two variables, age was the sole co ntributor to sexual satisfaction. Medical and psychological variables (diab etes and depression) were minor contributors.