Breaking barriers: navigating cardiovascular health in the transgender community

Transgender individuals, whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth, experience unique health disparities, including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review examines how gender identity influences cardiovascular health among the transgender population, with a particular focus on emerging risk factors, biological mechanisms, and psychosocial determinants, and the role of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).A comprehensive literature review was performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase to search for literature focused on cardiovascular diseases among the transgender population. Key data was extracted and summarized in the review article.Factors, such as social stress, discrimination, limited healthcare access, lifestyle behaviors (e.g., smoking, poor diet, and lack of physical activity), and clinical conditions (e.g., hypertension), contribute to the cardiovascular vulnerability of transgender individuals. Moreover, GAHT, which is a critical component of transitioning and aligns physical characteristics with gender identity, also poses risks, including heightened susceptibility to cardiovascular events, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Despite the increasing recognition of these health disparities, research remains limited, largely due to small sample sizes, variability in hormone treatments, and methodological differences across studies.A holistic approach that integrates medical, psychological, and lifestyle interventions is essential to reducing the risk of CVDs and improving cardiovascular outcomes in transgender individuals. This review highlights the need for further research on this crucial topic.