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 1. Home
 2. Understanding HIV
 3. Fact Sheets
 4. HIV and Heart Disease


HIV AND OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS, COINFECTIONS, AND CONDITIONS


HIV OVERVIEW

HIV and AIDS: The Basics
The HIV Life Cycle
The Stages of HIV Infection
What is a Latent HIV Reservoir?
HIV Testing
FDA-Approved HIV Medicines
What is an Investigational HIV Drug?
What is a Therapeutic HIV Vaccine?
What is a Preventive HIV Vaccine?
HIV and AIDS Clinical Trials


HIV PREVENTION

The Basics of HIV Prevention
Preventing Perinatal Transmission of HIV
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)


HIV TREATMENT

HIV Treatment: The Basics
Just Diagnosed: Next Steps After Testing Positive for HIV
When to Start HIV Medicines
What to Start: Choosing an HIV Treatment Regimen
FDA-Approved HIV Medicines
Drug Resistance
HIV Treatment Adherence
Following an HIV Treatment Regimen: Steps to Take Before and After Starting HIV
Medicines
What is a Drug Interaction?
HIV and Immunizations


SIDE EFFECTS OF HIV MEDICINES

HIV Medicines and Side Effects
HIV and Diabetes
HIV and Hepatotoxicity
HIV and High Cholesterol
HIV and Lactic Acidosis
HIV and Lipodystrophy
HIV and Osteoporosis
HIV and Rash


HIV AND PREGNANCY

Preventing Perinatal Transmission of HIV
HIV Medicines During Pregnancy and Childbirth
Preventing Perinatal Transmission of HIV After Birth


HIV AND SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

HIV and Children and Adolescents
HIV and Women
HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men
HIV and Older People


HIV AND OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS, COINFECTIONS, AND CONDITIONS

What is an Opportunistic Infection?
HIV and Hepatitis B
HIV and Hepatitis C
HIV and Tuberculosis (TB)
HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
HIV and Heart Disease
HIV and Kidney Disease


LIVING WITH HIV

How to Find HIV Treatment Services
HIV and Mental Health
HIV and Nutrition and Food Safety
HIV and Substance Use


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 * This Fact Sheet
 * Entire Series

Related content
HIV Source: HIV-Related Conditions: Cardiovascular Disease
MedlinePlus: Heart Diseases
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Coronary Heart Disease


HIV AND HEART DISEASE

Last Reviewed: August 10, 2021


KEY POINTS


 * There are many types of heart diseases. Coronary heart disease is the most
   common type of heart disease, and it is the leading cause of death in the
   United States. In this fact sheet, the term “heart disease” refers
   specifically to coronary heart disease.
 * Heart disease is caused by the buildup of plaque inside the blood vessels
   (called the coronary arteries) that carry blood to the heart.
 * Risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or smoking, are
   the same for people with HIV and people without HIV. However, HIV and some
   HIV medicines may increase the risk of heart disease in people with HIV.
 * Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, being more active, and
   quitting smoking, can help prevent and treat heart disease. Treatment for
   heart disease can also include medicines and surgery.


WHAT IS HEART DISEASE?

There are many different types of heart diseases. Coronary heart disease (also
called coronary artery disease) is the most common type of heart disease. It is
the leading cause of death in the United States. In this fact sheet, the term
“heart disease” refers specifically to coronary heart disease.


WHAT CAUSES HEART DISEASE?

Heart disease is caused by the buildup of plaque inside the blood vessels
(called the coronary arteries) that carry blood to the heart. Plaque is a waxy
substance made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in
the blood. Over time, plaque buildup in the coronary arteries (called
atherosclerosis) reduces the blood flow to the heart, which can cause chest pain
(called angina) or a heart attack.


WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE?

Some risk factors for heart disease can be changed or controlled by lifestyle
changes or medicines, while other risk factors cannot. Risk factors that can be
controlled to prevent or delay heart disease include the following:

 * High blood pressure (also known as hypertension)
 * High blood cholesterol levels
 * Diabetes
 * Eating an unhealthy diet
 * A lack of physical activity
 * Smoking
 * Being overweight or obese
 * Stress

Risk factors for heart disease that cannot be changed include having a family
history of early heart disease and older age.


ARE PEOPLE WITH HIV AT RISK FOR HEART DISEASE?

Yes. The risk factors for heart disease are the same for people with HIV and
people without HIV. However, HIV and some HIV medicines may increase the risk of
heart disease in people with HIV.

Research is underway to understand the connection between HIV and heart disease.
Go to ClinicalTrials.gov to find HIV research studies related to heart disease.
For help with your search, call a Clinical Info health information specialist at
1-800-448-0440 or email ContactUs@HIVinfo.NIH.gov.


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEART DISEASE?

Some people who have heart disease have no symptoms. However, some people may
have chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or weakness. If you have any of
these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Chest pain that does not go away or occurs while a person is resting may be a
sign of a heart attack. If you think you may be having a heart attack, call
9-1-1 immediately.


WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR HEART DISEASE?

Treatment for heart disease often includes lifestyle changes. For example,
people with heart disease may change their eating habits, exercise more to lose
weight, or quit smoking.

Medicines and surgery are also used to treat heart disease.

Medicines

Medicines used to treat heart disease include drugs to lower blood pressure,
reduce cholesterol levels, or prevent or relieve chest pain. Some of these
medicines may interact with HIV medicines. Health care providers carefully
consider potential drug-drug interactions between HIV medicines and any other
medicines a person may be taking.

Surgery

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of surgery to
treat heart disease in adults. During CABG, a healthy artery or vein from the
body is used to bypass (go around) the blocked part of a coronary artery.

Visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Heart Surgery webpage to
learn more about the different types of heart surgery.


HOW CAN PEOPLE WITH HIV REDUCE THEIR RISK OF HEART DISEASE?

People with HIV can take the following steps to reduce their risk of heart
disease:

 * Take HIV medicines every day to keep HIV under control.
 * Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole
   grains, and is low in saturated fats, added sugars, and salt.
 * Be physically active on a regular basis.
 * Quit smoking.
 * Keep all medical appointments. During medical visits, talk to a health care
   provider about the risk of heart disease.

For more information on how to lower your risk of heart disease, visit the How
to Prevent Heart Disease webpage from MedlinePlus.


THIS FACT SHEET IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:

From the Department of Health and Human Services:

 * Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents
   Living with HIV:
   * Drug-Drug Interactions
   * Poor CD4 Cell Recovery and Persistent Inflammation Despite Viral
     Suppression

From MedlinePlus:

 * Coronary Artery Disease
 * Coronary Heart Disease

From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

 * Atherosclerosis
 * Heart Surgery
 * Coronary Heart Disease

Also see the HIV Source collection of HIV links and resources.


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