As the title of this article says....WE HEART LGBT PEOPLE!!  We care about their health and well-being and we want them to care about themselves and each other, as well. Keeping that in mind, we don't just care about LGBT people, we care about their hearts.  Heart disease is, after all, the leading cause of death in the United States today.

Now, you might be thinking that heart health doesn’t really sound like a queer health issue---and on the surface you would be right.  Certainly there’s no evidence to suggest a link between being an LGBT person and having heart disease.   As with many things in life, however, it’s really not that simple.  When we take a deeper look at some cultural norms in our community, we do recognize some interesting risk factors that are worth a second look.

Access to medical care is one important issue.  We’ve addressed in other areas of this site the fact that because they fear discrimination or mistreatment, many queer people delay seeking medical care or avoid seeking it altogether.  For a concern like the heart this is a particularly dangerous trend because preventive care---in other words regularly checking up BEFORE a problem arises---is one of the best ways to prevent serious heart complications.  Clearly those who avoid medical care cannot get this care and may be increasing their risk by living with undiagnosed warning signs.

Another factor, connected to access to medical care, is access to medical/health benefits.  It goes without saying that having access to health insurance is a significant barrier for many people in our country today---that's why the issue is so hotly debated in political arenas.  Those without insurance are less likely to get in care and are, therefore, put at risk.  Members of the LGBT community, for a host of reasons that range from lack of legal recognition of our marriages/relationships to employers who refuse to offer domestic partner benefits, are often among those without insurance...and that limits our access to healthcare.

Physical considerations can also be a factor.  One’s body type, weight, family history, etc. can all contribute to risk for heart disease.  The Bear Community, which includes many of our larger & furrier gay brothers, is a group who should be particularly aware.  Many books and websites for bears and the men who love them have been published on the topic of “Bear Health”; and these resources all point to heart disease as one of their top ten health concerns. Other important health concerns listed for bears are high cholesterol and adult diabetes…which are both, coincidentally, also risk factors for heart disease.  Beyond just those who identify as Bear men, however, heart health is an important concern for any person who is overweight or lives with these other risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.

An additional physical concern for heart disease could be one’s HIV status---or more specifically whether or not a person is taking antiretroviral medications to treat their HIV.  Some of the more common side effects of some of medications used to treat HIV can include heart complications or conditions that can lead to heart problems like high cholesterol, changes in blood pressure, and even diabetes.  Individuals who are HIV-positive should work closely with their treatment providers to monitor the health of their heart.

A final critical factor within the contributing to heart risk is substance use.  We should say from the outset that multiple sources have alluded to the fact that smoking, drinking, and use of other drugs are more common among LGBT people. Smoking and heavy drinking can both lead to increased heart risk.  Additionally many of the other recreational substances that have shown high rates of use in the LGBT community---including poppers, viagra, ecstasy (MDMA), crystal meth, and cocaine---all can have effects on blood pressure and the heart.  Many of these substances may do damage to the heart over time with continued use…and some may even have immediate negative effects.  People who use these substances, even only occasionally, should be well-informed about the possible impact(s) on their heart.

Eliminating or managing all of the above risks, as well as developing a strong relationship with a medical provider are key in preventing major heart problems.  The human heart is, without question, one of the most important organs in our bodies….keeping it healthy and in great shape is critical to be queer, proud and healthy!

For more information check out this article which was written by a colleague of ours about heart disease.  You can also visit the American Heart Association website where you can find detailed and comprehenseive information about heart health!