Heart, Bone, and Kidney Health with HIV

As people with HIV live longer, healthier lives thanks to effective treatment, HIV care has expanded its focus beyond just the virus itself. Your care team pays close attention to a few other systems, the heart, bones, and kidneys, because both HIV itself and some HIV medications can gradually affect them over time.

Why These Three Systems

Heart health: HIV causes ongoing, low-level inflammation in the body, even when the virus is well controlled. Over many years, this inflammation, along with typical risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking, can add up to a higher risk of cardiovascular issues. This is why your provider tracks things like blood pressure and cholesterol as a routine part of your care.

Bone health: Both HIV and certain medications can contribute to gradual bone density loss over time. This is usually slow and manageable, especially when caught early.

Kidney health: The kidneys filter medications out of the body, so your care team monitors kidney function through routine blood and urine tests to catch any changes early.

The Common Thread

These three systems share something important: problems tend to develop gradually, and routine monitoring is very effective at catching changes early, long before they become symptomatic. This is one of the best reasons to keep up with your regular checkups and lab work, even when you're feeling completely well.

Everyday Steps That Help

You don't need a complicated plan to support these systems. Many of the same habits help all three at once:

• Regular physical activity, including weight-bearing exercise for bone strength

• A balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D

• Not smoking, or getting support to quit if you do

• Managing blood pressure and cholesterol as recommended by your provider

• Staying well-hydrated

• Limiting alcohol intake

• Attending your scheduled checkups and lab work

Working With Your Care Team

If you have personal or family risk factors, such as a history of heart disease, osteoporosis, or kidney issues, let your provider know. They can tailor your monitoring schedule and offer more specific guidance based on your individual risk profile.

Key Takeaways

• HIV and some HIV medications can gradually affect heart, bone, and kidney health over time.

• Changes are usually gradual, which makes routine monitoring highly effective at catching issues early.

• Everyday habits, exercise, a balanced diet, not smoking, and moderate alcohol use, support all three systems.

• Share your personal and family health history with your provider so they can tailor your monitoring.