Most people may not consider sexual orientation a risk factor for heart disease, but a recent study suggests that bisexual women may have poorer cardiovascular health (CVH) than heterosexual women.
Researchers analyzed data from 12,180 people with an average age of 39.
About half of those people were women.
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The data comes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2016), which is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Individuals were each assigned a CHV score from 0 to 100 (100 being the best) based on their dietary habits and physical exams.
The scores were based on the American Heart Association’s measure of ideal heart health in US adults.
A recent study suggests that bisexual women may have poorer cardiovascular health (CVH) than heterosexual women. Researchers analyzed data from 12,180 people with an average age of 39. (iStock)
A score below 50 indicated “poor” cardiovascular health, 50-79 was considered “moderate,” and 80 or higher was “high,” according to the AHA website.
Pregnant women and individuals with a history of heart disease were excluded from the study.
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Bisexual women were about half as likely to have higher heart health scores than heterosexual women, largely due to “nicotine exposure and a higher body mass index.”
The researchers also cited several other factors, including added stress, less sleep and a higher risk of diabetes among bisexual women, according to a Columbia School of Nursing press release.
“Heart care providers should ask open-ended questions about sexual orientation and gender identity during the patient’s medical history intake to help identify any risk factors,” one doctor told Fox News Digital. The new study is titled “Differences in Ideal Cardiovascular Health Between Sexual Minorities and Heterosexual Adults.” (iStock)
In addition, bisexual men were found to be twice as likely to have high blood pressure as heterosexual men.
Dr. Billy Caceres, an assistant professor at Columbia School of Nursing, led the study, which was published in JAMA Cardiology.
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Other participating researchers came from Columbia; the University of California, San Francisco; and Boston University School of Medicine, among others.
It was titled “Differences in Ideal Cardiovascular Health Between Sexual Minorities and Heterosexual Adults.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.
The study authors noted that more research is needed to determine other factors that may affect cardiovascular health in bisexual women. (iStock)
The study authors noted that more research is needed to determine other factors that may affect cardiovascular health in bisexual women.
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Dr. Dung Trinh, chief medical officer of Irvine Clinical Research and a physician with Memorial Care Medical Group in California, was not involved in the study. But he said he believes health care providers should consider the unique health needs of different sexual orientations when providing care for heart disease.
Bisexual women were about half as likely to have higher heart health scores than heterosexual women.
“Heart care providers should ask open-ended questions about sexual orientation and gender identity during the patient’s medical history intake to help identify any risk factors,” Dr. Trinh in an email to Fox News Digital.
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Dr. Trinh said the potential impact of “discrimination and stigma on patient mental health and general well-being” could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in bisexual women.
Smoking habits and a higher body mass index were among the factors that influenced the lower heart health scores of bisexual women. (iStock)
“Physicians should screen for mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that can impact cardiovascular health, especially among LGBTQ+ individuals who have more mental health conditions than the general population,” he added.
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Many of the lifestyle factors that affect cardiovascular health, such as smoking status, alcohol consumption, dietary choices and exercise, vary based on a person’s cultural background or sexual orientation, said Dr. Trinh.
Physicians should provide appropriate referrals to community resources or support groups as needed, one doctor said. (iStock)
“It is important to educate patients about how their sexual orientation may affect their risk factors for heart disease and to also emphasize prevention strategies such as healthy eating habits, regular exercise, stress management techniques and, if necessary, adherence to treatment,” he said.
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In addition, if necessary, physicians should provide appropriate referrals to community resources or support groups, recommends Dr. Trinh on.
