Frequent sexual contacts put men over 57 at a doubled risk of cardiovascular disease. Women in the same age group, however, experienced almost the opposite effects, which ranged from an improvement in heart rate to a decrease in blood pressure. Sexologists and cardiologists from Michigan State University came to these conclusions in the first large-scale study on the question: how intercourse affects heart health after 50 years. The scientists analyzed the data of a total of 2,204 selected participants aged between 55 and 85 years. The risk of cardiovascular disease was calculated based on the presence of hypertension (high blood pressure), rapid heart rate, elevated levels of C-reactive protein and common cardiovascular events – heart attack, stroke or failure. For men, a strong dependence was noted – if at that age they had sex more than once a week, they experienced heart disease with twice the frequency and on average 5 years earlier than those who had sex less often. According to the study, the strain and effort put into an intimate relationship greatly increases with age, especially after the mid-50s, when men are increasingly faced with sexual problems, weakening of body muscles, joint pain and other age-related complications. They also have more difficulties (physiological and psychological) with reaching orgasm, which often causes them to over-exhaust themselves during intercourse. This leads to severe stress on the cardiovascular system. NEWS_MORE_BOX The use of drugs to enhance sexual function and fluctuating testosterone levels also adversely affect heart health. After all, a moderate frequency of sexual activity at this age is still considered to support good health – physically and mentally. But adventures more frequent than once a week can have the complete opposite effect. However, for the ladies, the picture is different – ​​more frequent sexual contacts turned out to have a strong lowering effect on high blood pressure, arrhythmias and other factors. Not only that, but their manifestation occurs about 5 years later than in women with less frequent intimate contacts.