Bengaluru: Cardiovascular events have a pooled prevalence of 6% among people living with HIV (PLWH), according to a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis, highlighting the need to make heart health part of routine HIV care, experts said at the HIV and Heart Symposium organised by Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) Saturday.Dr HS Natraj Shetty, associate professor of cardiology at Jayadeva Institute, said the findings underline the need for cardiovascular disease prevention and early detection among PLWH.“In India, the pooled prevalence of cardiovascular disease among adults has been estimated at approximately 11%,” he said. He added that early identification and comprehensive cardiac care could reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among PLWH. “Since 2013, I’ve treated 1,209 patients with HIV-associated cardiac disease. If we don’t actively look for heart disease in people living with HIV, we may miss an important and treatable part of their lives,” he said.Dr Dinesh B, director of SJICSR, said the high cardiovascular risk among PLWH was linked to HIV as well as other factors. HIV can reduce immunity and cause chronic inflammation, while antiretroviral therapy (ART) may contribute to cardiovascular risk in some patients.“Some of the therapies will also influence weight gain and other metabolic abnormalities, which increases the risk of heart disease,” he said, adding that smoking further raises the risk.Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, founder and chairman of Narayana Health, said HIV should not be viewed only as an infectious disease. “We must look at the whole person including the heart and blood vessels,” he said, stressing the importance of early recognition, prevention, investigation and timely treatment.55k may be unaware of HIV status in K’takaAround 55,000 people in Karnataka may be living with HIV without knowing their status, according to National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) estimates, said Padma Basavanthappa, programme director, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society. She called identifying them the “largest unfinished task”. Between 23,000 and 24,000 are believed to be receiving treatment at private hospitals. She urged private practitioners to report cases through Annexure 30 to district AIDS units to help track and link patients to care.
