HIV Infected More Likely to Have Heart Attack

By Vivian Richardson, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- People infected with HIV need to be aware they have an increased risk of suffering a heart attack, according to the results of two new studies. One study suggests the increased risk is associated with the virus, while the other study suggests the life-saving medication used to treat the illness may be to blame.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston report the risk of heart attack is almost doubled for people with HIV and nearly tripled for women with HIV.

While the true cause of this increased risk has not yet been discovered, the researchers say being aware of the risk is important for people with HIV. "Knowing that they have increased cardiovascular risk is important in order to mitigate risks and give them the most healthy lifestyle possible," senior study author Steven Grinspoon, M.D., told Ivanhoe.

A second study from researchers in Europe reveals a link between increased risk of heart attack and protease inhibitors, part of the combination of drugs given to HIV patients to reduce their viral load and keep them healthy. Dr. Grinspoon commented on the study and said he believes there may be some tradeoffs patients with HIV need to consider with they start therapy.

"I'm in no way suggesting that people don't take their HIV meds. These drugs save lives, and they are really responsible for why people are living much longer," said Dr. Grinspoon. Because patients are living longer, it's important for physicians and patients to look for symptoms of heart disease, possibly at younger ages than would be typically seen in the general population.

"We want to wake people up to the idea that there is an increased risk of [heart attack] and that patients should be aware of it, improve their diet, exercise, decrease all the risks they possibly can," he said.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Interview with Steven Grinspoon, M.D.; Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, published online April 24, 2007; The New England Journal of Medicine, 2007;356:1723-1735