HIV and cardiovascular risk factors

There is growing concern that the metabolic complications associated with HIV and antiretroviral therapy may lead to accelerated coronary artery disease (CAD). Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and visceral fat accumulation, are increasingly seen in HIV patients receiving HAART. These factors are in addition to nonreversible risk factors, such as male sex, age greater than 40 years, and family history of premature CAD. Patients may also be smokers and may have a sedentary lifestyle, both of which predispose to significant CAD. In older patients and those with other risk factors, there may be an accentuation of these risk factors by HAART, although these factors also occur in young patients with no other risk factors. It is still unknown whether the factors predispose HIV patients to accelerated cardiovascular disease. Short-term studies, including 2 large cross-sectional studies, do not show an increased risk of cardiovascular complications or cardiac death, but longer follow-up is needed to answer such questions effectively. Even if patients are not at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, they are at least at the same risk as HIV-negative, age-matched persons with similar risk factors. It is, therefore, pertinent to identify and effectively manage those risk factors that can be modified.