DIRECT ARTERIAL PRESSURE, HEART RATE AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAM DURING HUMAN COITUS

Abstract

Summary. Direct arterial blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiograms were recorded continuously over a 24-hr period in seventy-two human subjects. Seven normotensive subjects (six males and one female) had coitus at home during the period of study. The duration of inter-course ranged from 8 to 20 min and orgasm was achieved by all six males but not by the female. Significant changes in arterial systolic and diastolic pressure and heart rate were noted. Compared with values at the onset of coitus, systolic pressure rose by 20 to 107% (+25 to 120 mmHg), diastolic pressure by 31 to 60% (+25 to 48) and heart rate increased from 25 to 120% (+20 to 87 beats/min). Changes in arterial pressure closely followed changes in heart rate throughout the activity. Peak arterial pressure and heart rate occurred at the time of orgasm; after which, arterial pressure and, to a lesser extent, heart rate quickly fell to below the precoital level within 20 to 120 sec.