Researchers may refer to the adaptive response, which is the cumulative sacrifice of chronic stress to the brain and body, said Scott Bertani, Head of Advocacy for Health HIV. To infer that our bodies respond to these truly complex and challenging life events and demands, “he said. For example, he added that the act of coming out, and in some cases repeating, is often very stressful.
To address the constant threat of discrimination and harassment, much of the LGBTQ community is self-treating with drugs such as tobacco and alcohol, said Dr. Stred, a researcher at the Transgender Medical Surgery Center at the Boston Medical Center. I am saying. He said these industries are targeting the LGBTQ community, especially through advertising during Pride Month. By 2020, approximately 25% of lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults will use over-the-counter tobacco products compared to 18.8% of heterosexual adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. was doing. campaign.
The study also identified a link between sleep and heart health, Dr. Caceres said. Increasing evidence indicates that adults with LGBTQ experience more sleep problems and interruptions than the general population. This may also be related to chronic stress.
Obstacles to seeking care
According to a 2017 survey of about 500 LGBTQ adults by researchers at the Harvard TH Chan Public Health School and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, more than one in six are avoiding health care because they are worried about discrimination. I am reporting. That hesitation means that adults with LGBTQ are less likely to have access to potentially life-saving preventive medicine, Dr. Michos said. All adults should be screened for cardiovascular risk factors at least annually, which is usually part of the body each year, she said.
According to experts, finding a health care provider that feels comfortable and safe can be important in preventing heart disease. Dr. Streed recommends that LGBTQ adults look for supportive practitioners. The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association provides a directory on its website where patients can find medical professionals. The Human Rights Campaign creates an annual health inequity index. This is a list of medical facilities that are said to include LGBTQ patients.
What LGBTQ Adults Need to Know to Improve Heart Health
Gender-identifying hormones have been shown to have a positive effect on mental health, but Dr. Mikos says there is some evidence that high doses of testosterone and estrogen can pose a cardiovascular risk. I did. People taking these hormones should talk to their doctor about how to maintain heart health.