At a national symposium in Bengaluru, medical experts highlighted that as antiretroviral therapy extends the lives of people living with HIV, cardiovascular health must become a primary focus of long-term care.

  • Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have significantly increased life expectancy for people living with HIV.
  • Increased longevity brings a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and other long-term complications.
  • The Sri Jayadeva Institute has successfully treated over 1,200 HIV-positive cardiac patients.
  • Stigma and infection concerns regarding blood handling remain barriers in some hospitals.

BENGALURU: Cardiovascular health must receive greater clinical attention in the long-term management of people living with HIV, experts declared during a national symposium. As advances in antiretroviral therapy allow patients to live longer, the medical community is shifting its focus toward managing age-related and treatment-related heart complications.

The Evolution of HIV Care

The 'HIV and Heart Symposium 2026', organized by the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in collaboration with the AIDS Society of India, brought together top cardiologists and HIV specialists. H.S. Nataraj Setty, associate professor of cardiology at Jayadeva, noted that while ART has revolutionized HIV care, it has also changed the clinical landscape. "As life expectancy improves, we also need to focus on cardiovascular health and other long-term complications," Setty emphasized.

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B. Dinesh, Director of Jayadeva, added that cardiovascular disease is set to become a major health concern for this demographic, necessitating early recognition and timely intervention.

India's Global Impact on HIV Response

The symposium also looked back at India's four-decade journey in fighting the epidemic. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary-General of the People’s Health Organisation, traced the progress from the 1980s to the current era of widespread, affordable generic medicine. He highlighted how India's ability to provide low-cost antiretroviral treatment has bridged the healthcare gap in resource-limited settings, including much of Africa.

Overcoming Clinical Hesitancy

A significant hurdle identified during the session was the reluctance of some medical institutions to treat HIV-positive patients for cardiac issues. Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Health, pointed out that some hospitals hesitate due to perceived risks involved in handling blood from HIV-positive individuals. However, he lauded the Jayadeva Institute for setting a benchmark, having treated more than 1,200 such patients since 2013.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the success of infectious disease management is creating a secondary wave of chronic disease challenges. The intersection of HIV and cardiovascular health represents a critical frontier for integrated medical protocols and specialized training for healthcare providers.

The success of HIV treatment has moved the goalposts from mere survival to the management of long-term systemic health.
Did You Know?: India's production of affordable generic HIV medicines is credited with saving millions of lives globally.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is heart disease becoming a concern for HIV patients?
Answer: Due to the success of ART, patients are living longer, which naturally increases the window for age-related cardiovascular issues to manifest.

2. What is the main barrier to cardiac care for HIV patients?
Answer: Some hospitals exhibit hesitation due to infection control concerns during blood handling and surgical procedures.