Risk factors of cardiovascular disease as predictors of cardiomotor profiles in Hispanic-latinos living with HIV

Background: People living with HIV are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease negatively impact cardiovascular and muscular function. Therefore, this study aims to determine if cardiovascular disease risk factors are predictors of cardiomotor profiles in Hispanic-Latinos living with HIV.

Subjects: A total of 176 participants were enrolled in this study. There were 134 males and 42 females with a mean age of 53.34 +/-10.31 years old.

Methods: Data was collected retrospectively from people living with HIV in San Juan, Puerto Rico from 2000-2020. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were collected by interview. In addition, the cardiovascular and locomotor components were collected using the Ross submaximal exercise test.

Results: Hyperlipidemia was a significant predictor of treadmill time (B= -1.882, p=.034) and heart rate (B= -6.878, p<.001), whereas hypertension was a predictor of heart rate (B= -12.903, p=.026) and systolic blood pressure (B=12.263, p<.001). Hyperlipidemia was also a significant predictor of inclination (B= -1.707, p=.034). In addition, 57.4 % of the sample had at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor.

Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia and hypertension should be considered in managing people living with HIV. This study indicated that hyperlipidemia and hypertension negatively affect cardiovascular and locomotor performance during exercise. Clinicians should be aware that exercise tolerance may be reduced in people with HIV and CVD risk factors; therefore, exercise prescription should be tailored and monitored accordingly.