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The risk of heart attack goes up
almost 50 percent for HIV-infected people, even when other risk factors are
considered, according to University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researcher
Dr. Matthew Freiberg. The increased risk probably results from the combination
of the HIV virus’s effects and antiretroviral therapy (ART).
ART has extended life expectancy for
HIV-infected people, so researchers are now exploring health threats facing
HIV-infected people as they age. The current study analyzed six years of data
from more than 82,000 US veterans, a third of whom were HIV-infected. Of the
871 study participants who had a heart attack, HIV-infected participants were
48 percent more likely to have a heart attack than vets ages 40 to 69 who did
not have HIV. The study controlled for other factors—high blood pressure,
diabetes, and drug and alcohol use—also associated with higher heart attack
risk.
Since past studies show that HIV
increases the risk of heart disease, Freiberg theorized that the presence of
the virus stimulates an “inflammatory response” that increases heart attack
risk. Hepatitis C and kidney disease also are associated with increased risk of
heart attack. University College of Dublin School of Medical Science’s Dr.
Patrick Mallon stated that the veterans’ study clears up questions about
whether HIV and HIV medications increase heart attack risk or other factors
like smoking and high cholesterol are responsible for higher risk.
Mallon and Freiberg recommended that
HIV-infected people make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and take
preventive measures, including regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks,
to prevent heart attack.
The full report, “HIV Infection and
the Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction,” was published online in the journal
JAMA Internal Medicine (2013; doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.3728).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
