An international study reveals an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people with HIV after suffering from Covid-19
International research has concluded that people with HIV are 30% more likely to suffer serious cardiovascular disease after contracting Covid-19. This increased risk is also confirmed in those patients with HIV who had not experienced any previous cardiovascular disease and had not required hospitalization due to Covid-19. The most common episodes seen include thromboembolic disease, heart failure, and other heart diseases.
Importance of research
This research is significant as, until now, the effect of Covid-19 on the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with HIV had not been explored. The study included approximately 18,000 people with HIV, of whom 4,199 were diagnosed with Covid-19. Of the 832 patients who suffered cardiovascular disease in the year following Covid-19, a higher risk was confirmed especially during the first six months after infection.
Presence of the Fundació Luita contra les Infections and other entities
The study was carried out by a team of international researchers, with the participation of the Lluita contra les Infecions Foundation, the Center for Epidemiological Studies on STIs and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) and the Odense University Hospital ( OUH) from Denmark.
Recommendations and importance of prevention
The researchers emphasize the importance of considering Covid-19 as an additional risk for people with HIV, especially during the post-infection period. Likewise, they underline the urgent need for preventive interventions and vaccination to reduce this risk.
Doctors’ recommendations
Dr. Josep M. Llibre, researcher at the Fundació Lluita contra les Infections, highlights the importance of vaccination against Covid-19 for people with HIV. It also highlights the need to be aware of the increased risk and to control other factors that can influence cardiovascular diseases, such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol.
