Bisexual men at higher risk of heart disease, according to new study
The new study did suggest there was no direct correlation with sexuality and heart disease
By Steve Brown
Bisexual men are at a higher risk of heart disease according to a new study.
The study titled Sexual Orientation Differences in Modifiable Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiovascular Disease in Men was published in the journal LGBT Health at the beginning of this month.
The team analysed data of 7,731 male participants between the ages of 20 to 59 who were divided into four groups based on their sexuality.
The study aimed to examine heart disease diagnoses among men of different sexual orientations and to measure their modifiable risk factors for heart disease.
While no link was found between sexual identity and heart disease diagnoses, it revealed that bisexual men were found to have higher rates of several risk factors compared to heterosexual men, including mental distress, obesity and elevated blood pressure.
Lead author Billy Caceres said: “Our findings highlight the impact of sexual orientation, specifically sexual identity, on the cardiovascular health of men and suggest clinicians and public health practitioners should develop tailored screening and prevention to reduce heart disease risk in bisexual men.
“Clinicians should be educated about sexual minority health and should routinely screen bisexual men for mental distress as a risk factor for heart disease.”
Minority stress is one of the major reasons behind the influence of sexual orientation on health, contributing toward chronic stress, risk behaviour, poor mental health, and higher rates of drinking, smoking, and drug use.