The impact of heart failure on the sexual response cycle: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is the most prevalent disease among chronic diseases and has been associated with a high prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED). OBJECTIVE: this study aims to analyze research that has as its object of study the sexual activity of patients with HF. METHODS: A high-sensitivity search was performed in databases (PUBMED via MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS AND CINAHL) using descriptors linked to sexuality and heart failure. RESULTS: Fifteen studies from 7 countries with a total sample of 6244 participants were included. CONCLUSION: It was identified that patients with HF have alterations in their sexual activities, which are more common in males. Among men, it was noticed that the most reported sexual disorder was erectile dysfunction.