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Cardiovascular diseases

HIV-Associated Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Young Adults Revealed

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted at the Biomedical Research and Training Institute in Harare, Zimbabwe, has shed light on the cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden among young people living with HIV. The study, published in Current Atherosclerosis Reports, synthesizes current evidence on the CVD burden in this population and highlights critical gaps in understanding the mechanisms driving HIV-associated CVD. Emerging data suggest that non-atherosclerotic mechanisms, such as direct myocardial injury, fibrosis, and remodelling, may be predominantly driving HIV-associated CVD in young adults.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study highlights the significant burden of cardiovascular pathology among young adults living with HIV, often subclinical and poorly understood.
  • Emerging data suggest that HIV-associated CVD in youth may be driven by non-atherosclerotic mechanisms, including direct myocardial injury, fibrosis, and remodelling.
  • Imaging studies have revealed subclinical myocardial changes such as increased left ventricular mass and reduced strain, while vascular studies show inconsistent findings.
  • Longitudinal data and multimodal imaging approaches remain scarce, particularly in high-burden regions like Africa.
  • The prevailing paradigm focused on atherosclerosis may not fully apply to young adults with HIV, especially in African settings.
  • The study emphasizes the need for longitudinal, mechanistic research to inform tailored clinical strategies and policy interventions aimed at reducing long-term cardiovascular morbidity in young people with HIV.
  • The research was conducted by Edith D. Majonga and her team at the Biomedical Research and Training Institute in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Statistics:

  • 18-25 years: The age range of young adults with HIV who are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden.
  • 27 (1): The issue number of Current Atherosclerosis Reports in which the study was published.
  • 105 (2025): The reference number of the study on HIV and Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Young Adults (18-25 years): A Review of Current Evidence.
  • Current Atherosclerosis Reports: The journal that published the study, with a publication frequency of 27 times a year.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies Conducted at Biomedical Research and Training Institute on HIV/AIDS Recently Reported [HIV and Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Young Adults (18-25 years): A Review of Current Evidence]. AIDS Weekly. November 3, 2025; p 121.
  • Majonga, E. D. et al. HIV and Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Young Adults (18-25 years): A Review of Current Evidence. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 2025;27(1):105. Current Atherosclerosis Reports can be contacted at: Current Medicine Group, 400 Market Street, Ste 700, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA.

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