Cardiovascular complications among African Americans with HIV

Abstract

Focus groups were conducted among 50 African American adults with HIV to investigate their perceived risks for cardiovascular disease and perceived benefits and barriers to living a heart healthy lifestyle. In addition, anthropometric measures were obtained (height, weight, blood pressure) and participants completed a written cardiovascular disease risk profile. Analysis of the cardiovascular risk profile data revealed that 48 percent of participants were current smokers 58 percent reported they had hypertension; 50 percent reported hypercholesterolemia; 30 percent that their mother or sister was diagnosed with a heart attack before age 65; and 16 percent as having diabetes. The computed body mass index of 80 percent of participants was categorized as overweight to obese. Participants were aware of cardiovascular risk factors, shared beliefs about the negative effects of HIV on cardiovascular health, and expressed barriers and facilitators to cardiovascular disease risk reduction. The findings suggest that some information has been disseminated about cardiovascular disease to HIV patients, but there is still a lack of information concerning the possible link between HIV disease, HIV medications, and cardiovascular disease. More cardiovascular disease risk reduction programs are needed for persons living with HIV. This research is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.