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Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults who may benefit from cholesterol-lowering medicine to prevent cardiovascular disease are less likely than non-LGB adults to take them. Wondering why? Then keep on reading.
The research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that LGB adults have higher cardiovascular disease risk than non-LGB adults, in part because they are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, and be obese.
There is strong evidence that cholesterol-lowering medicines called statins help prevent cardiovascular disease in adults who do not yet have cardiovascular disease but have risk factors like high cholesterol or diabetes.
When prescribed for someone not yet diagnosed with heart disease, this is referred to as primary prevention for cardiovascular disease. Statins also benefit people who already have cardiovascular disease; for these adults, statins are taken for secondary prevention.
The author Yi Guo, University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Fla said, “Our study was the first to estimate the prevalence of statin use among the LGB population. We compared the rate of statin use among LGB and non-LGB individuals using Facebook-delivered online surveys and observed that the LGB respondents had significantly lower rates of statin use for primary cardiovascular disease prevention compared to the non-LGB respondents, yet that was not the case in secondary prevention.”
Also, read: 6 major health issues LGBTQ members are more likely to face, according to science
Guo and colleagues conducted an online survey between September and December 2019 using a paid advertising Facebook campaign. Targeting adult Facebook users in the U.S. with interests in LGB keywords, such as “gay pride,” the researchers developed a series of ads linking to the survey. The survey asked about sexual orientation, gender identity, statin use, health status, chronic conditions, smoking status, and more.
Their analysis of 1,531 Facebook respondents ages 40 years and older revealed that more than 12 per cent identified as LGB and nearly a third of all respondents were taking statins. Less than 21% of LGB adults were taking statins for primary prevention compared to nearly 44 per cent of non-LGB adults.
There was no notable difference in statin use between the LGB and non-LGB groups for secondary prevention. “There could be many reasons for the difference we observed,” Guo said. “LGB individuals may not go to the doctor as often, which leads to lower chances of being recommended statins for cardiovascular disease prevention.”
Also, read: This is how you can become a true ally to your LGBTQ+ friends
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PERSONALISE NOWHe adds that the LGB population may also be less aware of their cardiovascular disease risk and the protective effect of statins. “We were surprised to see such a big difference in primary prevention, with less than half of the rate as the non-LGB population. This highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions and campaigns that promote the awareness of statin use and cardiovascular health in the LGB population.”
“Health care providers should address their own biases and understand the complexities of LGB patients, making sure to provide guideline-directed recommendations in a culturally competent way,” said study co-author Jiang Bian, University of Florida College of Medicine.
“What we have found is very much in line with the American Heart Association’s statement for LBGTQ adults,” Bian said. “First, more research is needed to better understand the cardiovascular disease health risks and outcomes in the LGB population. Second, educational programs are needed to educate health professionals on these unique health risks and outcomes in the LGB population and the appropriate way to communicate with LGB people.”
Among the study’s limitations are that using Facebook as a source may not accurately represent the LGB population as a whole, and the health information was self-reported. “However, since no studies have reported the prevalence of statin use in the sexual- and gender minority population, our study provides important initial data and validates the need for additional research,” Guo said. “We need detailed studies to help us understand LGB statin use with clinical data from the real-word, such as those in electronic health records (EHRs) or administrative claims.”
