Infections and Cardiovascular Disease: JACC Focus Seminar 1/4

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Global Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) present a growing challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Infections, including neglected tropical diseases, are increasingly recognized as contributors to CVD burden in these regions.
• Existing data on the cardiac implications of infections in LMICs are limited and lack robust population validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the underestimated cardiac impact of infections in LMICs.
• To underscore the need for better data collection and validation of infection-related cardiac conditions in resource-limited settings.
• To advocate for strategies to mitigate the cardiovascular consequences of prevalent infections in LMICs.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on cardiovascular diseases and infections in LMICs.
• Analysis of data limitations and biases (underdiagnosis, underreporting) in assessing cardiac impact.
• Identification of knowledge gaps regarding the cardiovascular implications of prevalent infections.

Main Results:

• The true burden of infection-related cardiovascular disease in LMICs is likely underestimated.
• Limited healthcare access and data infrastructure hinder accurate assessment.
• Significant underdiagnosis and underreporting bias affect current estimates.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need to delineate the cardiac impact of prevalent infections in LMICs.
• Developing strategies to reduce negative cardiovascular consequences is crucial for health systems in LMICs.
• Robust population data and improved healthcare infrastructure are essential for accurate assessment and management.