Cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV: Risk assessment and management

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection affects nearly 40 million people globally.
• Advances in treatment have transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition for many.
• Individuals with HIV experience a substantially elevated risk and earlier onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the increased cardiovascular risk in people living with HIV.
• To emphasize the need for proactive cardiovascular risk assessment and management in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Review of current understanding of HIV and cardiovascular health.
• Analysis of factors contributing to CVD risk in the HIV population.

Main Results:

• People with HIV develop coronary artery disease significantly earlier than the general population.
• Chronic inflammation, biochemical factors, social determinants, and nonbiologic factors contribute to heightened CVD risk.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular risk management is essential for individuals living with HIV.
• Early and vigilant attention to CVD risk assessment and management is critical for improving long-term health outcomes in people with HIV.