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People living with HIV may develop cardiovascular conditions like atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease, chronic immune activation and inflammation may be resresponsible for this. Atherosclerosis is narrowing and ‘hardening’ of arteries due to the build-up of plaque on blood vessel walls.
The thicken artery walls interfering with blood flow force the heart to work harder. Plaque may damage blood vessel linings and cause formation of blood clots, which can break off and cause blockages. Coronary artery disease affects the large arteries that supply the heart.
The blockage can prevent oxygen from getting to the heart muscle leading to myocardial infarction, or heart attack. Blockages in the arteries supplying the brain can lead to strokes. Peripheral artery disease affects vessels far from the heart like legs.
haleplushearty.org