HIV Weekly - 2nd July 2008

Anti-HIV treatment

Checking for cardiovascular disease

There has been concern for sometime that people with HIV may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke. There are a few reasons why this is the case. Some anti-HIV drugs can cause increases in blood fats and sugars, and this can increase the long-term risk of heart disease. It’s also thought that living with a long-term condition like HIV causes inflammation than can lead to heart problems. What’s more, people with HIV are more likely to be smokers than those in the general population.

So it’s very important that people with HIV have regular tests to see if they have any warning signs that they are developing cardiovascular disease. For example, as part of your routine HIV care you’ll probably already have blood tests to measure your cholesterol and blood sugars.

Researchers have now found that a simple and quick tests can accurately tell if people with HIV are developing hardening of the arteries – a real warning of cardiovascular disease.

It involves placing a blood pressure cuff around the ankle. Research showed that it was as accurate a measure of hardening of the arteries as the current “gold standard” test – an ultrasound of the main artery in the neck.

The researchers found that the people found to have hardening of the arteries using this new test often had traditional risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart problems.

HPV infection

Certain strains of the genital wart virus human papilloma virus (HPV) can lead to cervical or anal cancer.

Both these cancers occur more often in people with HIV than in the general population.

Many of the cases of anal HPV infection and anal cancer have been in gay men.

But new research has found high rates of anal HPV infection in heterosexual men who say they’ve never had anal sex. HPV can be spread by touch, which could explain these findings.

It therefore makes good sense for all people with HIV, regardless of their sexuality, to look out for unusual anal symptoms and to tell their doctor about them.

The current issue of NAM’s treatment newsletter, HTU , is about anal cancer in people with HIV. HTU is available free of charge to people affected by HIV in the UK.

The British 10K Run

This year, two members of NAM's staff have bravely entered the eighth annual ASICS British 10K London Run to raise vital funds for NAM.

NAM is trying hard to raise funds to develop some new simple information resources and services, particularly for people who have recently been diagnosed or are just coming to grips with living with HIV, as well as to update some of our most popular materials.

Starting at 9.35am on 6th July 2008 outside the legendary Hard Rock Cafe on Piccadilly, the route will pass central London's world famous, historic and iconic landmarks including the London Eye, the Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace to name but a few!

Taking part will be Olympic athletes from all over the world, celebrities from stage and screen, as well as tens of thousands of fun and recreational runners, including our very own Caspar and Laura!

Please donate to NAM and show your support at http://www.aidsmap.com/10krun