Experts urge integration of cardiac care into HIV treatment protocols

Healthcare specialists across South Asia are pressing for cardiac care to be embedded within existing HIV treatment frameworks, highlighting the increased prevalence of heart conditions among people living with HIV. As antiretroviral therapies have extended lifespans and improved quality of life for HIV patients, cardiometabolic complications have emerged as a significant secondary health concern requiring systematic monitoring and intervention.

Experts point out that current HIV treatment protocols often focus narrowly on viral suppression and immune reconstitution, potentially overlooking the cardiovascular risks that develop alongside chronic HIV infection and certain antiretroviral medications. This fragmented approach to care can result in delayed diagnosis of cardiac conditions and missed opportunities for preventive intervention.

Integrating cardiac screening, risk assessment, and management into routine HIV care pathways would enable early detection of heart disease and allow for timely therapeutic adjustments. Medical professionals emphasize that a holistic treatment model addressing both viral and cardiovascular health outcomes would substantially improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for India's HIV-positive population.

The push for integrated care reflects evolving international treatment standards that recognize HIV as a chronic condition requiring multi-system management rather than isolated disease treatment. Healthcare administrators and clinicians are now exploring practical frameworks for implementing cardiac screening protocols within existing HIV clinics and treatment centers across the region.