HIV and Coronary Artery DIsease

Source: CDC.gov

Here is a recent publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine that reports the association between HIV infection and coronary artery disease. The bottom line, independent of typical cardiovascular risk factors, HIV positive men, particularly those who are untreated, have accelerated rates of coronary artery disease.

I have a small battalion of HIV positive patients who are very concerned about their health and longevity. Many of these patients, specifically focus on the control of their HIV, the results of their CD4 count, viral load and cholesterol level. Many of these patients, frustratingly, still continue to smoke and are overweight.

As a growing body of evidence implicates HIV infection as a driver of cardiac disease, modifiable risk factors such as cholesterol, obesity and smoking become increasingly more important for risk reduction.

Stop smoking. Change your diet. Lose weight. Exercise.