Bisexual women found to have a heightened risk of heart disease, according to recent studies.
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers have identified potential risk factors that may contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease among bisexual individuals, particularly bisexual women.
The study, led by Dr. Billy Caceres, an assistant professor at the Columbia School of Nursing, analysed data from 12,180 individuals with an average age of 39, half of whom were female. The research found that bisexual men are twice as likely to suffer from high blood pressure than their heterosexual counterparts, and bisexual women may have a higher risk of heart disease compared to heterosexual women, although direct epidemiological evidence is still lacking.
Dr. Dung Trinh, the chief medical officer of Irvine Clinical Research and a physician at Memorial Care Medical Group in California, emphasised the need for healthcare providers to consider the distinct health requirements of various sexual orientations when treating cardiac conditions. He recommended educating patients on how their sexual orientation may impact their cardiac disease risk factors and screening for mental health conditions that may impact cardiovascular health, especially among LGBTQ+ individuals who face higher rates of mental illness than the general population.
The study identified several factors that may contribute to the increased risk among bisexual individuals. Behavioural and mental health factors, such as higher levels of mental health difficulties, depression, anxiety, and suicidality, substance use, and self-injurious behaviours, were found to be more prevalent among bisexual women. Additionally, bisexual women were more likely to experience barriers to care due to stigma, discrimination, or lack of culturally competent providers, which can delay or prevent access to preventive and acute cardiac care.
The study also highlighted the role of social determinants of health, such as chronic exposure to stigma, discrimination, and lack of social support, which can lead to chronic stress, a recognised risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Bisexual women were found to be more likely to experience eating disorders, which can be linked to both poor nutrition and stress-related hormonal changes that affect cardiovascular health.
While the study did not explore the reasons behind the elevated risk for bisexual individuals, Dr. Trinh suggested that discrimination and stigma may play a role. He recommended providing appropriate referrals for community resources or support groups as needed and stressing prevention strategies such as healthy eating habits, regular exercise, stress management techniques, and medication adherence if necessary.
The study used a CHV score to assess participants' heart health, with scores ranging from 0-100. Bisexual women were found to have approximately half the likelihood of receiving higher heart health scores than heterosexual women, indicating a need for increased focus on preventive measures for this group.
Further research is needed to clarify these relationships and quantify their impact on heart health. However, the confluence of higher stress, substance use, mental health challenges, and barriers to health care among bisexual women plausibly increases their risk for heart disease. This pathway is supported by broader research on LGBTQ health disparities and the known impact of psychosocial stressors on cardiovascular outcomes.
- Dr. Dung Trinh recommends educating patients on how their sexual orientation may impact their cardiac disease risk factors, particularly focusing on mental health conditions and their influence on cardiovascular health, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality, among individuals identifying as LGBTQ+.
- The study found that bisexual women may have a higher risk of heart disease compared to heterosexual women, and this risk could be influenced by several factors, including behavioral and mental health factors, chronic exposure to stigma, discrimination, and a lack of social support, and a higher likelihood of experiencing eating disorders.
- The study also underlines the importance of addressing the distinct health requirements of various sexual orientations, especially for women's health and mental health, as well as cardiovascular health, and emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to consider these factors when treating cardiac conditions.
