lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals risks to have heart disease according to a new study by the American Heart Association (AHA). the study sheds light on the higher risk of heart disease of lesbians or bisexuals than heterosexual women
Lesbians and gay men: The Complex Relationship Between Sexuality and Heart Disease Risk
the study reveals a complex relationship between sexuality and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Heart attacks, strokes, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and arrhythmias are just a few of the many diseases that homosexuals can contract.
Understanding the Disparities in Heart Disease Risk
According to research, homosexuals and lesbians may have also mental health challenges compared to to heterosexuals.
These results may be partially explained by a variety of factors, including poverty, degraded working conditions, mental health problems, discrimination, and past negative experiences with the healthcare system.
Study Design and Findings
Over 169,400 French people, 54% of whom were women, had their health data reviewed by the research team. The CONSTANCE project used the “Life’s Essential 8” criteria to assess cardiovascular risk.
Cardiovascular Health Disparities
In general, regardless of sexual orientation, women had better cardiovascular health than males. Lesbian and bisexual women had poorer overall cardiovascular health compared to straight women, nevertheless. Greater interaction with medical experts during pregnancy may explain the difference.
However, this tendency was mostly seen in metropolitan areas. In contrast, homosexual and bisexual men showed much better cardiovascular health than heterosexual males. According to the researchers, homosexual men who live in rural areas could have additional stresses including prejudice, sleep issues, or other issues that could harm their cardiovascular health.
Consistency with Previous Studies
Bisexual women scored lower on NHANES than heterosexual women due to smoking anda higher body mass index (BMI), as well as other health stresses.
Limitations of the Study
The study includes limitations, which should be noted. People self-identify as homosexual, bisexual, or straight in France.
This ground-breaking study highlights the distinct heart disease risks that lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people confront. The results highlight the need of addressing health inequalities and offering inclusive healthcare that takes into account the various demands and difficulties of various sexual orientations.