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Sex After Heart Surgery: What Should Patients Know?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 23, 2025

During my recovery from aortic and pulmonary valve replacements, there were many memorable experiences. There were "highs" during my recovery - my engagement to Robyn. And, there were "lows" during my recovery - cardiac depression.

That said, one of the more memorable experiences dealt with sex after heart surgery.

As you would imagine, this is a a very common question when I chat with patients and caregivers about the recovery from cardiac procedures including heart valve repair and heart valve replacement. The question usually goes like this, "How long until I/we can have sex after heart surgery?"

Well...

During my recovery, I did muster up the uncomfortable courage to ask Nurse Carrie this exact question about sex after heart surgery. Carrie looked at me and said, "Can you walk up two flights of stairs?"

I nodded yes.

Carrie exclaimed, "You're good to go sailor! It's time for sex after heart surgery! I hereby give you permission to do the Wild Thing!"

I laughed out loud.

It was a classic moment that belonged in some sort of fantastic movie.

FYI, this conversation between Nurse Carrie and I happened about four weeks after my double valve replacement surgery. However, you should know that while this story is quite playful, there are a number of post-operative issues which may inhibit the patient's desire to re-engage in sexual activity following surgery.

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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