Single and Dual Sensory Loss and Cardiovascular Disease in US adults: Findings from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Prior work has shown that persons with disabilities have higher rates of poor cardiovascular outcomes than persons without disabilities. Little research has evaluated this relationship in persons with single and dual sensory loss. This study aimed to examine the association between single and dual sensory loss and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data were obtained from 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a representative household survey of 234,394 noninstitutionalized civilian adults. The independent variable was sensory loss (neither, vision loss only, hearing loss only, both vision and hearing loss). The outcomes were self-reported angina/coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and CVD (composite variable). Covariates were sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, employment, marital status, insurance, income, metropolitan status, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, depression, exercise, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking, and alcohol risk. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between sensory loss and CVD, adjusting for covariates. In weighted and fully adjusted models, persons with vision loss only, hearing loss only, and dual sensory loss had increased odds of heart attack, stroke, angina/coronary heart disease, and CVD in comparison with persons without sensory loss. Additional research is needed to examine the underlying mechanisms influencing increased risk for CVD in persons with sensory loss. Initiatives are needed that aim to reduce the burden of CVD among persons with single and dual sensory loss.