Revelation from a new study shows that women who are bisexual and lesbian have a greater chance of encountering heart disease than their heterosexual matches. In contrast, men who are bisexual and gays show good cardiovascular wellness metrics compared to their heterosexual matches. The findings had more than 169000 participants, all from France. The study is unique, as no other research focuses on cardiovascular wellness in non-heterosexuals. The AHA, or American Heart Association, revised its heart wellness metrics from the previous year.
The metrics include managing healthy body weight, required blood sugar and cholesterol, nutritious diet, frequent exercise, maintaining blood pressure, conducive sleep, and no smoking. Omar Deraz, lead author of the study, explained that their focus is on differences in the eight metrics between sexual minorities and heterosexuals. Emphasis on awareness and competency regarding heart disease would open up a discussion between physicians and patients on heart health.
Another research revealed that sexual minorities look into heart wellness less than heterosexuals. After adding variables like the history of heart diseases in families, bisexual women and lesbians gave lower heart wellness metrics. On the other hand, lesbians, after pregnancies, had greater cardiovascular health than heterosexual women. Men who identified as bisexual and gays gave better metrics than heterosexual men. In addition, those based in rural places gave lower metrics than those living in urban areas. Lesbian women showed poor metrics for a nutritious diet and blood pressure compared to their heterosexual matches. Bisexual women gave improved metrics for a nutritious diet and nicotine exposure. The study revealed that bisexuals and gays consumed more alcohol than their heterosexual matches. There were also reports of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts than heterosexuals. Furthermore, lesbians conveyed lesser incidences of mental wellness issues.
Omar Deraz explained that the results might be argued as a case of individuals’ life circumstances, such as poverty and mental health. The results may not give insight into other countries but will show a relationship between differences in health to people’s experiences. It also includes non-heterosexuals or sexual minorities.