Arrhythmias in transgender individuals.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Transgender Health

Background:

• Transgender individuals experience higher cardiovascular risk than the general population.
• Gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies can disrupt lipid metabolism, alter body fat distribution, and increase insulin resistance.
• Hormone therapies are linked to increased risks of venous thromboembolism, stroke, and myocardial infarction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the elevated cardiovascular risks in the transgender population.
• To examine the impact of hormone therapies on cardiovascular health, including lipid metabolism and electrophysiological properties of the heart.
• To emphasize the need for proactive cardiovascular monitoring in transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on cardiovascular risks in the transgender population.
• Analysis of the effects of exogenous hormone therapy on lipid metabolism, body fat, insulin resistance, and cardiac electrophysiology.
• Examination of sex hormone influence on cardiac function and potential for arrhythmias.

Main Results:

• Hormone therapies can negatively affect lipid metabolism, body fat concentration, and insulin resistance.
• Transgender hormone therapy is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events like venous thromboembolism, stroke, and myocardial infarction.
• Exogenous hormone use can alter the QT interval and elevate the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions:

• Transgender individuals require specialized cardiovascular risk assessment and management.
• Careful consideration of cardiovascular risk factors is essential before initiating hormone therapies.
• Ongoing monitoring for cardiovascular complications is critical for transgender individuals receiving hormone therapy.