BENGALURU: Even as people living with HIV are now able to live longer and healthier lives with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), cardiovascular disease has emerged as an important part of their long-term health, experts said at the HIV & HEART Symposium 2026 held at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on Saturday.
The symposium was organised by the Department of Cardiology, Jayadeva, in association with the AIDS Society of India, to highlight the link between HIV and cardiovascular disease and the need for early detection, prevention and comprehensive treatment.
Dr B Dinesh, the director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, said HIV itself can contribute to chronic inflammation in blood vessels, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. He also noted that certain older ART drugs could contribute to dyslipidaemia and other cardiovascular complications, while newer, more cardiac-friendly treatment regimens are now being used.
Dr HS Natraj Setty, an associate professor of cardiology and the organising secretary of the symposium, said the changing nature of HIV treatment has made long-term health a key focus area. “HIV was once considered a debilitating and dreaded disease, but with effective treatment, patients can now live for 25 to 30 years or more. As they live longer, protecting their heart and overall cardiovascular health becomes equally important,” he said.
Dr Setty added that stigma and lack of awareness continue to prevent some patients, particularly those from rural areas, from seeking timely HIV treatment and cardiac care.
“Treating a patient with HIV who also has a heart condition remains challenging, as anyone handling the patient’s blood is exposed to a risk of infection. Doctors, nurses and technicians are all part of this process, and the entire healthcare team has to take the necessary precautions while providing treatment,” said Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, the chairman of Narayana Health. The symposium brought together specialists in cardiology, HIV medicine, microbiology, vascular surgery and general medicine.