Sexual Orientation Differences in Modifiable Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnoses in Men

Abstract

Gay-identified and heterosexual-identified MSM demonstrated similar CVD risk to exclusively heterosexual men, whereas bisexual-identified men had elevations in several risk factors. Future directions for sexual minority health research in this area and the need for CVD and mental health screenings, particularly in bisexual-identified men, are highlighted.

Cardiovascular Disease Disparities in Sexual Minority Adults: An Examination of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2014-2016)

“…For instance, a recent analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey detected higher rates of objectively measured obesity and hyperglycemia in sexual minority women and bisexual men. 15,16 Objective measures of CVD risk factors (such as body mass index, physical activity, diabetes, hypertension and lipids) should be integrated into CVD research with sexual minorities.…”

Meeting the Sexual Health Needs of Bisexual Men in the Age of Biomedical HIV Prevention: Gaps and Priorities

“…However, a recent study found that self-identified gay and bisexual men were both at increased risk for HIV compared to self-identified heterosexual men who had never had sex with men. Specifically, data from a nationally representative sample revealed that 17.4% of selfidentified gay men and 7.7% of self-identified bisexual men were HIV-positive compared to only 0.3% of self-identified heterosexual men who had never had sex with men (Caceres et al, 2018). Similar to the findings for MSMW reviewed above, these findings indicate that, while self-identified gay men experience the greatest burden of HIV infection, self-identified bisexual men are also disproportionately affected by HIV compared to self-identified heterosexual men who have never had sex with men.…”

“…Despite the lack of research on HIV/STI among bisexual men, the available evidence indicates that, similar to gay men, bisexual men are also at increased risk for HIV and other STI compared to heterosexual men (Caceres et al, 2018;Jeffries, 2010). However, efforts to prevent HIV/STI have largely overlooked bisexual men as a population in need of targeted services.…”

Sexual Identity and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Awareness of Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms: Findings From the National Health Interview Survey

“…10 In addition, a recent analysis of population-based data found that bisexual men had 2 to 3 times higher odds of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes than heterosexual men. 11…”