Increased prevalence of hypertension among people living with HIV: where to begin?

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CDVs) have become increasingly important for progressively older people living with HIV (PLHIV). Identification of gaps requiring improvement in the care cascade for hypertension, a primary risk factor for CVDs, is of utmost importance. This study analyzed the prevalence of hypertensive status and described the care cascade for hypertension screening, diagnosis, treatment, treatment adherence, and management in PLHIV. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 298 PLHIV (age >40 years) who visited a referral center in the western Brazilian Amazon. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire interview and medical examinations. Thus, information regarding sociodemographic and clinical aspects, blood pressure, weight, height, body mass index, and laboratory profile was obtained. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed, and results were considered significant ifp <0.05. RESULTS: In total, 132 (44.3%) participants reported that their blood pressure was never measured. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 35.9% (107/298). Of these 107 participants, only 36 (33.6%) had prior knowledge of their hypertensive status, and 19 of 36 (52.7%) participants had visited a physician or cardiologist to seek treatment. Adherence to the BP-lowering treatment was noted in 11 (10.2%) participants. CONCLUSIONS: An increased prevalence of hypertension was found, and most of the hypertensive participants were unaware of their hypertensive status. In addition, blood pressure control was poor in the study population. This indicated that public health professionals did not sufficiently consider the full spectrum of healthcare and disease management for PLHIV.

Increased prevalence of hypertension among people living with HIV: where to begin?

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CDVs) have become increasingly important for progressively older people living with HIV (PLHIV). Identification of gaps requiring improvement in the care cascade for hypertension, a primary risk factor for CVDs, is of utmost importance. This study analyzed the prevalence of hypertensive status and described the care cascade for hypertension screening, diagnosis, treatment, treatment adherence, and management in PLHIV. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 298 PLHIV (age >40 years) who visited a referral center in the western Brazilian Amazon. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire interview and medical examinations. Thus, information regarding sociodemographic and clinical aspects, blood pressure, weight, height, body mass index, and laboratory profile was obtained. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed, and results were considered significant ifp <0.05. RESULTS: In total, 132 (44.3%) participants reported that their blood pressure was never measured. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 35.9% (107/298). Of these 107 participants, only 36 (33.6%) had prior knowledge of their hypertensive status, and 19 of 36 (52.7%) participants had visited a physician or cardiologist to seek treatment. Adherence to the BP-lowering treatment was noted in 11 (10.2%) participants. CONCLUSIONS: An increased prevalence of hypertension was found, and most of the hypertensive participants were unaware of their hypertensive status. In addition, blood pressure control was poor in the study population. This indicated that public health professionals did not sufficiently consider the full spectrum of healthcare and disease management for PLHIV.

Malaria and Vascular Endothelium / A Malária e o Endotélio Vascular

Involvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with infectious and parasitic diseases can result from both intrinsic mechanisms of the disease and drug intervention. Malaria is an example, considering that the endothelial injury by Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes can cause circulatory disorders. This is a literature review aimed at discussing the relationship between malaria and endothelial impairment, especially its effects on the cardiovascular system. We discuss the implications of endothelial aggression and the interdisciplinarity that should guide the malaria patient care, whose acute infection can contribute to precipitate or aggravate a preexisting heart disease.

O acometimento do sistema cardiovascular em pacientes com doenças infecciosas e parasitárias pode ocorrer tanto por mecanismos intrínsecos à doença como em decorrência de intervenção medicamentosa. A malária é uma dessas doenças, tendo em vista que a agressão endotelial generalizada que se observa na infecção por Plasmodium pode causar distúrbios circulatórios. O objetivo deste artigo é discutir a relação entre malária e o comprometimento endotelial, em especial suas consequências sobre o sistema cardiovascular, a partir de uma revisão da literatura. Discutem-se as repercussões da agressão endotelial, bem como a interdisciplinaridade que deve nortear a atenção ao paciente malárico cuja infecção aguda pode contribuir para precipitar ou agravar doença cardíaca preexistente.

Malaria and vascular endothelium.

Involvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with infectious and parasitic diseases can result from both intrinsic mechanisms of the disease and drug intervention. Malaria is an example, considering that the endothelial injury by Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes can cause circulatory disorders. This is a literature review aimed at discussing the relationship between malaria and endothelial impairment, especially its effects on the cardiovascular system. We discuss the implications of endothelial aggression and the interdisciplinarity that should guide the malaria patient care, whose acute infection can contribute to precipitate or aggravate a preexisting heart disease.

Cisto coloide no terceiro ventrículo e morte súbita em jovem / Colloid cyst in the third ventricle and sudden death in young man

Morte súbita de jovem, sexo masculino, 23 anos, assintomático, suscitou verificação de óbito. Antes queixou-se de cefaleia excruciante, em sala de aula, caindo sobre o computador. Encéfalo apresentou edema e congestão vascular. Sem herniações. Cortes coronais evidenciaram dilatação dos ventrículos laterais e nódulo aderido ao teto do terceiro ventrículo. À microscopia o diagnóstico foi cisto coloide do terceiro ventrículo. A ameaça de morte súbita em portadores de cisto coloide é sério problema diagnóstico na emergência médica. A relevância deste caso está em lembrar aos médicos que esta entidade deve permanecer como diagnóstico diferencial nas cefaleias em crianças, adolescentes e adultos jovens.

Sudden death of 23 year-old asymptomatic male patient led to further investigation into its cause. Previously, he had complained of excruciating headache in the classroom, falling on the computer. His brain showed edema and vascular congestion without herniation. Coronal sections showed dilatation of the lateral ventricles and nodule attached to the roof of the third ventricle. The microscopic diagnosis was colloid cyst of third ventricle. The threat of sudden death among colloid cyst patients is a serious diagnostic problem in medical emergencies. The relevance of this case is to remind doctors that this entity should remain as differential diagnosis in headaches among children, adolescents and young adults.