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World AIDS Day was observed last month, and cardiovascular disease – particularly stroke and coronary heart disease – was identified as an emerging concern for HIV patients
. By the end of this year, an estimated 36.7 million people around the world were living with HIV.
Since 1996, the year of availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV have been living longer.
However, as individuals with HIV, they are more likely to be diagnosed with chronic diseases and research has designated cardiovascular disease as a common phenomenon in people over 40 years of age living with HIV.
to make them more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. The virus causes chronic inflammation, which leads to plaque buildup and possible blockage of arteries that can cause cardiovascular disease.
In addition, some antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV may increase the risk of heart disease by causing insulin resistance. lead to diabetes. The researchers revealed that certain types of HIV medications, such as protease inhibitors, are associated with the development of high levels of fat in the blood. Both can lead to blockage of blood vessels in various parts of the body. If left untreated, it increases the risk of heart disease, vesicular and pancreatitis
HIV-infected patients also have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease
HIV itself may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Untreated HIV with its high viral loads has been linked to heart disease and experts now recommend starting treatment earlier to avoid such cardiovascular damage.
Not only does inflammation related to HIV damage the immune system and other organs, it also speeds up the aging of blood vessels. The use of ART significantly decreases inflammation related to HIV. Indeed, studies have shown that people who stop taking antiretrovirals have a significantly increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Nevertheless, a low or undetectable viral load, a low-level inflammation triggered by HIV infection may continue to slowly affect the organs and blood vessels, but at a much lower level than before.
But there are steps to prevent and manage
For starters, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and smoking cessation can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. When lifestyle changes are not enough, a number of effective medications and other medical approaches are available. It is also important to consider cardiovascular risk factors in critical HIV treatment decisions, such as when to start or change treatment and which drugs to use.
But the benefits of antiretroviral therapy far outweigh the dangers and the researchers warn against stopping anti-HIV drugs to protect the heart.
Regular monitoring of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and other cardiovascular risk factors in HIV treatment factors and the adoption of
Researchers are currently looking for ways to solve the problem of cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV.
Prof. Yonga is a consulting cardiologist at Aga Khan University Hospital.
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