Sexuality of patients with advanced heart failure and their spouses or partners.

BACKGROUND Sexuality is an important aspect of quality of life for patients with advanced heart failure and their spouses or partners. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the types of sexual problems and concerns of patients and their spouses/partners, their level of interest in receiving information on this topic, and the relationship between their need for information and the degree of sexual problems. METHODS Sixty-three couples were recruited from a university-affiliated, outpatient, heart failure program during their initial visit. RESULTS The most important sexual relationship issue of both patients and spouses/partners was related to decreased frequency in sexual relations. They reported the need to receive specific information about sexual activity as moderate to very high, but it was unrelated to the level of need for education and counseling. CONCLUSIONS Nurses and physicians need to assume interest and provide instruction related to the sexual activity needs of patients and their spouses/partners.