Abstract 9596: An Investigation of Differences in Ideal Cardiovascular Health Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2016)

Abstract

Introduction: There is growing evidence that sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual) adults are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than heterosexual adults. Research on the cardiovascular health (CVH) of sexual minority adults has primarily examined differences in the prevalence of individual CVH metrics rather than comprehensive measures. Therefore, we investigated sexual identity differences in ideal CVH among adults (ages 18-59) in the United States using the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Life’s Simple 7; a composite measure of ideal CVH. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2016). Questionnaire, dietary, and physical examination data were used to assess the seven metrics included in the Life's Simple 7 measure. Participants received a score of 0 (poor), 1 (intermediate), or 2 (ideal) for each CVH metric and scores were summed to calculate ideal CVH scores (continuous; range 0-14). We ran sex-stratified regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics and survey year to examine sexual identity differences in ideal CVH scores and ideal CVH (i.e., odds of meeting ideal criteria for ≥5 CVH metrics). Results: The sample included 12,832 participants with a mean age of 39.2 (±11.95) of which 5.7% were sexual minority. Compared to heterosexual women, bisexual women had lower ideal CVH scores ( B = -0.65, 95% CI = -1.02, -0.27) and they were also less likely to meet criteria for ideal CVH (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.47-0.93). Gay men had higher ideal CVH scores than heterosexual men ( B = 0.61 95% CI = 0.01, 1.21). Gay (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.16-3.62) and bisexual (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.16-3.99) men were more likely than heterosexual men to meet criteria for ideal CVH. Conclusions: This is the first representative study to investigate sexual identity differences in ideal CVH. Bisexual women were at higher risk of CVD than heterosexual women, which was attributed to higher odds of current tobacco use and obesity. Gay and bisexual men were at lower risk of CVD than heterosexual men. Future longitudinal research is needed to examine factors that might contribute to CVH disparities among bisexual women. Clinical interventions to reduce CVD risk among bisexual women are needed.