The AHA Says LGBTQ Face Heart Risks Due To Discrimination

LGBTQ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning) adults face distinct threats to their heart so their cardiovascular health should be routinely assessed and addressed concludes, the AHA (American Heart Association) in a new scientific statement. They also said in their report that their scientific statement shows that stress is thought to be a threatening factor in health differences for LGBTQ adults.  

LGBTQ populations face unique stressors because they were and still are the underrepresented group experiencing higher poverty levels, insecure housing and fewer health care options compared to other sexes around the world.

Caceres, an assistant professor at Columbia said, “they experience things like discrimination, or fear of coming out to their family or even their health care providers, because they feel like they’ll be treated differently,”  and continued explaining “those things, on top of everything else that’s stressful in life, probably place them at increased risk for poor health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease.”

Among the Findings

• Among heterosexuals and LGBTQ adults the LGBTQ people are more likely to report tobacco use and drinking problems than their cisgender heterosexual peers due to stress.
• Due to the use of gender-affirming hormones like estrogen transgender women may be at increased risk for acquiring cardiovascular disease.
• Majority of Lesbian and bisexual women have a higher prevalence of obesity when compared to heterosexual women.
• Bisexual men tend to have double chance of having high blood pressure than heterosexual men.
• Another thing that is more common among LGBTQ adults is risk factors for diabetes and heart disease due to their sleeping disorder.

Surveys show how widespread such discrimination and violence against LGBTQ adults regarding their sexual orientation and gender identity can be that it leads to major heart health problems that are life-threatening.