Medically known as “sudden death during sexual intercourse,” it refers to a sudden loss of consciousness or coma during sexual intercourse, particularly during orgasm, or afterward. It’s believed to be linked to heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, sexual misconduct, and the abuse of sexually stimulating drugs. This condition is incredibly severe and life-threatening, making daily preventative measures crucial.
Epidemiology
Contagious
Not contagious.
Incidence
Sudden death during sexual intercourse is a rare condition, and there is no large-sample data statistics on its specific incidence rate.
High-risk population
It is more common in men with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Causes
Overview
Heart disease and cerebrovascular disease are the main causes of sudden death during sexual intercourse. A small number of patients may develop the disease due to improper sexual intercourse or abuse of drugs that stimulate sexual desire.
Basic cause
1. Heart disease
If you suffer from coronary heart disease or other heart diseases, highly stimulating sexual life can easily lead to myocardial ischemia, electrophysiological instability, and severe arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden death.
2. Cerebrovascular disease
During sexual intercourse, the increased excitability of the sympathetic nerves in the human body causes blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to rise. If you suffer from diseases such as hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis, you may suffer from sudden death due to blood vessel rupture.
3. Improper sexual intercourse
When a couple hugs and kisses, they put their arms around the middle outer part of each other’s neck, which puts pressure on the pressure receptors in the carotid sinus. This can cause a slower heart rate and lower blood pressure in mild cases, or reflex cardiac arrest and death in severe cases.
4. Abuse of drugs that stimulate sexual desire
Some people abuse drugs to increase their libido, but these drugs can overexcite the central nervous system. Excessive sexual activity under drug stimulation can increase the risk of sudden death.
Predisposing factors
1. Drinking alcohol before sexual intercourse;
2. Excessive fatigue or mental stress before sexual intercourse.
symptom
Overview
Sudden death during sexual intercourse is characterized by sudden loss of consciousness or coma during or after sexual intercourse, with the patient’s heart and breathing cessation and an undetectable pulse. Some heart disease patients may experience severe chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, and sudden palpitations shortly before sudden death.
complication
For patients who die suddenly during sexual intercourse, even if they survive with emergency treatment, they may still suffer from ischemic-hypoxic brain damage due to prolonged ischemia and hypoxia.
examine
Scheduled inspection
If one partner suddenly loses consciousness or becomes unconscious during or after sexual intercourse, CPR should be performed immediately and an emergency number should be called. Upon arrival at the hospital, the doctor will check the patient’s vital signs, perform an electrocardiogram, and, depending on the patient’s specific condition, administer defibrillation, establish intravenous access, and other emergency measures to save their life. If the rescue is successful and the patient’s condition stabilizes, the doctor will perform further follow-up tests, including biochemical tests and tests for markers of myocardial injury.
Physical examination
The doctor will check the patient’s consciousness, breathing, pupils, heart sounds, etc. to understand the patient’s specific condition.
Laboratory tests
1. Biochemical examination
The purpose is to understand the patient’s liver and kidney function and electrolyte status.
2. Myocardial injury marker examination
Determine whether there is myocardial damage.
Imaging examinations
For patients suspected of having cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, doctors may choose appropriate imaging examination methods based on the patient’s condition, such as cardiac ultrasound, head CT, etc.
Other tests
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a very important examination that can be performed continuously. It can determine whether a patient has acute myocardial infarction and can help determine whether the patient has arrhythmias that can be treated with defibrillation.
diagnosis
Diagnostic principles
The diagnosis can usually be confirmed based on sudden loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest, absence of large arterial pulses, and dilated pupils, combined with electrocardiogram findings. After rescuing the patient, doctors usually conduct further examinations to look for the underlying cause of the sudden death.
treat
Treatment principles
Patients experiencing sudden death during sexual intercourse should receive immediate first aid. Partners can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial respiration, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore spontaneous circulation and save lives. Emergency medical services should also be called. Once professional emergency personnel arrive, they will administer further treatment, such as medication and endotracheal intubation, and the patient will be transferred to a hospital for treatment as quickly as possible.
Treatment of the cause
For patients with sudden death during sexual intercourse, doctors will actively identify the cause and provide corrections.
Acute treatment
1. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
The goal is to establish more effective ventilation and blood circulation. The operator should kneel at one side of the patient, place their hands together, fingers raised, arms extended, and the base of their palms on the lower part of the patient’s sternum. They should then begin chest compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute, depressing the sternum 5 to 6 cm and ensuring that the chest fully recoils after each compression.
2. Artificial respiration
Use mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose artificial respiration, and alternate between cardiopulmonary resuscitation and artificial respiration in a ratio of 30:2.
3. Use an automated external defibrillator
If you have an automated external defibrillator at home, use it as soon as possible to restore the person’s heart rhythm to normal.
4. Drug treatment
The doctor will quickly establish an intravenous access and administer drugs such as epinephrine and vasopressin based on the patient’s condition.
5. Endotracheal intubation
If necessary, doctors will intubate the patient to establish effective lung ventilation.
6. Others
Maintain low body temperature and use head ice caps, ice blankets, etc. to cool down the body so that the core body temperature is controlled at 32~34℃ and the head temperature can be controlled at 28℃ for at least 12 hours. If necessary, artificial hibernation therapy can be used to maintain the normal functions of important organs of the body (such as heart, brain, liver, etc.).
Drug treatment
The drug treatment for this disease is mainly emergency drugs used to save the patient’s life. For details, please see “Acute Phase Treatment”.
Related drugs
Epinephrine, vasopressin
Surgical treatment
Most people who survive require an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to help maintain a normal heart rhythm.
Treatment cycle
The treatment cycle is affected by factors such as the severity of the disease, treatment plan, treatment timing and personal constitution, and may vary from person to person.
Treatment costs
There may be significant individual differences in treatment costs, and the specific costs are related to the selected hospital, treatment plan, medical insurance policy, etc.
Prognosis
General prognosis
The prognosis of sudden death during sexual intercourse is closely linked to timely treatment. Without prompt treatment, survival is almost impossible. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and prompt access to professional medical personnel increase the patient’s chance of survival. However, even with successful first aid, some patients may still suffer residual neurological damage.
Hazards
1. If the patient does not receive timely treatment, he or she will most likely die. Even after successful first aid, serious permanent damage, such as brain damage, may still occur.
2. Sudden death during sexual intercourse may frighten the partner and cause serious psychological trauma.
Self-healing
Cannot heal itself.
Curative
Some patients may receive effective first aid treatment in a short period of time, which may save their lives.
daily
Overview
Even after timely treatment saves lives, patients experiencing sudden death during sexual intercourse may experience significant psychological impact and should be closely monitored. Furthermore, strict lifestyle management is crucial to avoid adverse factors that may affect recovery.
Psychological care
1. Psychological characteristics
Patients with sudden death during sexual intercourse may experience negative emotions such as fear, tension, and anxiety after regaining consciousness after active treatment.
2. Nursing points
Family members should spend more time with the patient, communicate with them frequently, and encourage them to actively cooperate with treatment. Patients themselves should try to maintain a calm state of mind and actively cooperate with rehabilitation treatment.
Life Management
1. Pay attention to rest, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid overwork.
2. Create a comfortable and quiet resting environment, open the windows in the bedroom regularly to ventilate and keep the air fresh and flowing.
3. Some patients may need to stay in bed for a long time. They should choose a mattress with moderate hardness or softness. If conditions permit, they can choose an air mattress. Family members should turn the patient over and massage him/her regularly to prevent pressure sores.
diet
Dietary adjustment
A healthy and well-balanced diet can ensure the normal functioning of the body, assist in controlling the disease, maintain the effectiveness of treatment, and promote recovery. During the recovery period, patients experiencing sudden death during sexual intercourse should strictly follow dietary management to ensure a balanced diet and avoid foods high in fat, oil, and salt.
Dietary recommendations
1. Ensure a diverse and nutritionally balanced diet. The recommended daily intake of five food groups includes cereals and tubers, vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, beans, and oils. Adequately balance coarse and fine staple foods will ensure adequate nutritional intake while maintaining a healthy weight.
2. Maintain adequate water intake.
Dietary taboos
1. Avoid eating foods high in fat or fried foods, such as fatty meat, animal oil, etc.
2. Avoid eating high-salt dishes or pickled products, such as bacon, pickles, smoked foods, etc. The daily salt intake should not exceed 5g. If combined with hypertension, it should not exceed 3g per day.
3. Avoid eating spicy and irritating foods.
4. Avoid drinking alcohol.
prevention
Preventive measures
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding the abuse of drugs that stimulate sexual desire, and having moderate sex can help prevent sudden death during sexual intercourse.
1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
People with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are prone to sudden death during sexual intercourse. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle in daily life, such as regular work and rest, proper exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol intake, can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and thus play a role in preventing sudden death during sexual intercourse.
2. Avoid abusing drugs that stimulate sexual desire
Abuse of drugs that stimulate sexual desire increases the risk of sudden death during sexual intercourse. Therefore, do not use drugs that stimulate sexual desire on your own. If you really need them, it is recommended to use them under the guidance of a specialist.
3. Have a moderate sex life
It is the main measure to prevent sudden death during sexual intercourse. The appropriate frequency and intensity of sexual intercourse should be determined according to the age and energy of both parties, and excessive indulgence should be avoided. At the same time, sexual intercourse should be avoided as it is too intense.
4. Others
(1) Avoid having sexual intercourse when you are drunk, returning from a long journey, or are overly tired.
(2) Do not be overly nervous or excited during sexual intercourse, and learn to adjust your psychology.
(3) When hugging and kissing during sexual intercourse, you can hug the torso with both hands, but do not press on the middle outer part of the other person’s neck to prevent accidents.
(4) People with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should receive standardized treatment and only engage in appropriate sexual activity after being evaluated by a doctor.
(5) For people with a history of angina pectoris, it is best to take nitroglycerin sublingually before sexual intercourse to prevent accidents; if angina pectoris occurs during sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse should be stopped immediately and nitroglycerin should be taken sublingually.
Medical Guide
Emergency (120) indications
During sexual intercourse, if one party suddenly loses consciousness or becomes comatose, and their breathing and heart stop, first aid should be given immediately and an emergency number should be called.
Treatment department
You need to go to the emergency department.
Medical preparation
Since patients who suffer sudden death during sexual intercourse lose consciousness, their family members need to prepare for medical treatment.
1. Bring the patient’s ID card, medical insurance card, medical card, etc.
2. If the patient has recently visited a doctor, please bring relevant medical records, examination reports, test results, etc.
3. If the patient has taken any medicine recently, he/she can bring the medicine box.
4. Family members can prepare a list of questions they want to ask in advance.
Questions your doctor may ask
If a patient with sudden death during sexual intercourse is unable to answer questions, the doctor will usually ask the patient’s partner to understand the basic situation:
1. What was the patient doing before the sudden death? When did the sudden death occur?
2. Have you been diagnosed with heart disease before? Are you taking any medications such as nitroglycerin or Suxiao Jiuxin pills?
3. What other medical history do you have? Do you have hypertension or cerebral arteriosclerosis? Have you ever received treatment?
4. Do you have a habit of smoking or drinking? How much do you drink per day?
5. What is your diet like? Do you often eat foods high in fat, sugar, or salt?
What questions can patients ask?
Because people with sudden sexual death are unable to answer questions, these questions can be asked by their partners:
1. What is this disease? What causes it?
2. What treatment is needed?
3. How long does treatment take? Can it be cured?
4. When will I wake up? Will there be any sequelae after waking up?
5. What kind of care is needed after waking up for better recovery?