Heart disease refers to numerous conditions that affect how the heart and blood vessels work, including conditions like atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, arrhythmia, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pericarditis (via Healthgrades). Per the CDC, people AMAB are not only more likely to develop heart disease than people AFAB, but they are also more likely to die from it, and this can be attributed to the fact that they are also more likely to tick more risk factor boxes, which include having high blood pressure, diabetes, being overweight, drinking heavily, smoking, following an unhealthy diet, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Starting with high blood pressure (one major risk factor), the site shares that as of 2016, 46% of people AMAB in the U.S. had a positive diagnosis. This could be explained by the fact that they’re more prone to dealing with higher levels of stress and anger, increasing the risk of a heart attack (via WebMD). Plus, people AMAB are also more likely to smoke and engage in excessive drinking compared to people AFAB. Fortunately, most cases of heart disease can be prevented by getting regular medical check-ups and making a couple of lifestyle changes, such as following a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress, and drinking in moderation (via Healthgrades).