Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among LGBTQ+ Populations: A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence.
Sarinrut Sriprasong, Kritsadakorn Sukumanukoon, Naruewat Chantab and 2 others
PMID 42081704WHAT IT FOUND
LGBTQ+ adults in 20 studies had higher cardiovascular risk linked to tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, HIV, trauma, discrimination and stress.
Resilience and mastery were protective. Most evidence is observational and U.S.-based.
Key findings
01The 20 included studies identified elevated cardiovascular risk factors in LGBTQ+ adults, including tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, HIV infection, mental distress and discrimination.
02Resilience and mastery were protective: higher resilience was linked to lower perceived stress, less hazardous alcohol use and less sedentary behaviour, while greater mastery was linked to lower cardiovascular risk index scores.
03Eighteen studies were from the United States, eleven were cross-sectional, and heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Most included studies were from the United States, so findings may not apply to other countries or healthcare systems. Most studies were cross-sectional, so they cannot show cause and effect. Sexual orientation and gender identity were defined and measured differently across studies. Gender-diverse populations were less well captured than sexual orientation groups. Broad grouping of identities may hide subgroup-specific risks. Only English studies were included, and grey literature may have been missed. The review was not prospectively registered, and heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.
Declared interests
The authors report no funding and declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that these factors cause cardiovascular disease or that nursing screening will reduce events. The review combined observational studies, and it did not test interventions.