HIV Considerably Surges The Perils For Irregular Heartbeat

According to a study, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection considerably surges the peril of AF (atrial fibrillation), which is one of the chief important reason of abnormal heartbeats and a main cause of stroke, at the same pace or higher than known peril aspects like diabetes and hypertension. The research was conducted by scientists at the UCSF (University of California, San Francisco). In a database analysis of almost 17.3 million people in California, the researchers discovered that HIV infection was linked with an 80% greater peril of AF versus 89% for hypertension and 22% for diabetes. The research was published in the JACC (Journal of the American College of Cardiology).

Senior Author Gregory Marcus—Cardiologist in the UCSF Division of Cardiology—said, “This is the first paper showing that HIV is a menacing factor for AF, and the strength of that peril is the same to other well-established AF peril factors. As AF can be asymptomatic and stroke might be the first expression, it is significant for caretakers to be alert of patients at greater risk.” With efficient antiretroviral therapy, the life span of HIV-positive patients has surged. Nonetheless, past studies have demonstrated that these patients are at higher peril of cardiovascular diseases and unexpected cardiac death, at least partly owing to antiretroviral therapy. This is the first research to interrelate HIV to abnormal heartbeat, as well.

On a similar note, recently, a study showed that most triggers for abnormal heartbeat can be modified easily. A personal review of patients having AF—which is one of the most vital causes of irregular heartbeats—has discovered that the most of the triggers for the condition are lifestyle choices that can be easily modified, as well as consumption of caffeine, alcohol, exercise, and lack of sleep. The research was published in the journal HeartRhythm.