The Heart Truth for Lesbians: An Action Plan

WHEN YOU HEAR THE TERM, "HEART DISEASE," WHAT'S YOUR FIRST REACTION?
Like many women you may think, “That’s a man’s disease.” But here’s The Heart Truth: Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. In fact, one in three women dies of heart disease.

For Lesbians, the risk of heart disease may be even higher. Factors that increase women’s risk for heart disease – such as obesity, smoking, stress and lack of exercise – are prevalent among lesbians. But because lesbians are left out of most research studies, the true impact of heart disease among lesbians is unknown.

But there’s good news too: By taking action, you can lower your chance of developing heart disease and its risk factors. In fact, lesbians can lower their heart disease risk by as much as 82 percent just by leading a healthy lifestyle. This fact sheet gives steps you can take to protect your heart health starting today.

WHAT IS HEART DISEASE?
Coronary heart disease (the most common form to heart disease) is a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart that can lead to a heart attack. It is a life long condition and will steadily worsen unless you can make changes in your daily habits.

Risk Factors for Health Disease

Risk factors are conditions or habits that increase the chances of developing a disease or having it worsen, and lifestyle affects many of the “risk factors” for heart disease. For heart disease, there are two types of risk factors – those you can’t change and those you can control. The ones you can’t change are a family history of early heart disease and age, which for women becomes a risk factor at 55. That’s because, after menopause, women are more likely to get heart disease. Partly, this is because their body no longer produces estrogen. Also, middle age is a time when women tend to develop other heart disease risk factors.

The good news is that most of the risk factors can be controlled. Often, all it takes are lifestyle changes; sometimes, medication also is needed. Here’s a quick review of some major risk factors:

The good news is that most of the risk factors can be controlled. Often, all it takes are lifestyle changes; sometimes, medication also is needed. Here’s a quick review of some major risk factors:

Access to care: Lesbians have decreased access to health care due factors such as lower levels of health insurance, and heterosexism/ homophobia among health care providers. These barriers mean that lesbians often delay seeking care until their conditions are advanced. Making sure that you have access to routine health care and a good relationship with your provider are important ways to identify health problems early and get appropriate treatment. It’s also important to “come out” to your provider and have the necessary legal and medical documents (e.g., medical powers of attorney, living will, hospital visitation rights, etc.) in case of emergency.

Smoking: Lesbians are more likely to smoke and often smoke more than heterosexual women. If you quit, just one year later, your heart disease risk will drop more than half. There’s no easy way to quit, and it may take many tries, but you can do it. Many organizations have LGBT-specific smoking cessation programs – ask The Mautner Project to help you find one. Medication is also available – ask your doctor

High Blood Pressure. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure. Even levels just slightly above normal (called prehypertension) increase your heart disease risk.

Elevated blood pressure can be lowered by following a heart-healthy eating plan, including limiting your intake of salt and other forms of sodium, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and, if you drink alcoholic beverages, doing so in moderation (not more than one drink a day). If you have high blood pressure, you may need to take medication – check with your healthcare provider.

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