Lipodystrophy syndrome(s)

November 2001     View PDF     En español

Heart disease

Much concern has been expressed about higher triglyceride and cholesterol levels and the possible risk they pose for heart disease. Dr. Grunfeld from the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center compared these two levels in people taking protease inhibitors to a large study (Framingham Study) of HIV-negative individuals. Through his comparison, he assessed changes in risk of heart disease for people taking protease inhibitor therapy. However, his analysis could only assume that the increases in triglyceride and cholesterol levels seen in people taking protease inhibitors would have the same impact on heart disease of similar changes in these levels in HIV-negative people. This may or may not be the case.

Based on this comparison, he concluded that the use of protease inhibitors may result in a few more cases of heart disease over ten years, but it does not pose a large increased risk. Other factors like genetics, diet, and exercise will almost certainly contribute to these increased levels and risk for heart disease. Whether or not you use protease inhibitors, you should work with your healthcare provider to assess your own risk for heart disease and begin reducing this risk as part of your health management plan.