Having an active sex life extends the life expectancy of people with hypertension.
- 17 million French people suffer from hypertension.
- It is the most common chronic disease in France and one of the main causes of cardiovascular (myocardial infarction, stroke), renal (kidney failure) or cognitive (dementia, etc.) complications.
- Having regular sex increases the life expectancy of people with hypertension, according to a new study.
A new search indicates that having an active sex life could contribute to better health and a longer life in people with hypertension.
Sex and hypertension: more than 4,500 patients studied
For this study, data on the sexual activity of more than 4,500 patients with hypertension were obtained as part of a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States conducted between 2005 and 2014. Participants The study included both men and women with an average age of 40.6 years.
The results showed that participants who engaged in sexual activity between 12 and 51 times per year had a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who engaged in less frequent sex. These results were adjusted for factors such as age or overall health.
Sex and hypertension: what mechanisms behind the link?
Researchers have speculated about the mechanism behind the link between sexual activity and better health in people with hypertension. Regular sexual activity may improve heart health, protecting people from some of the negative effects of high blood pressure. However, it is also possible that people who have more frequent sex are already healthier overall, which could partly explain the results obtained.
Since the study group consisted of young patients, it is unclear how these results might apply to an older population. Therefore, further research in this area is needed to better understand the link between sexual activity and the health of people with hypertension.
17 million French people suffer from hypertension
In France, 17 million people suffer fromhigh blood pressure (HTA) and 1.6 million French people start treatment each year. It is the most common chronic disease in France and one of the main causes of cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction, stroke), renal (kidney failure) or cognitive (dementia, etc.), due to the frequent absence of symptoms.
In 2019, hypertension was the leading risk factor for mortality ahead of tobacco and the second risk factor for years of life lost in good health. “However, regular measurement of blood pressure (at least once a year) allows early detection of the disease. Despite the demonstrated benefits of prevention of screening and management of hypertension, prevalence indicators , screening or control have not seen any improvement since 2006, unlike many countries”, explains Santé Publique France in his latest report on the subject.
