• HIV infected patients are at higher calculated risk for CHD compared w/the general population of the same age
• HIV is known to promote atherosclerosis through mechanisms related to immune activation, chronic inflammation, coagulation disorders, and lipid disturbances
• Additionally combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) has an affect on lipid and glucose metabolism demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo 
• The presence of an accelerated process of coronary atherosclerosis in this population is a major concern 
• Practitioners should have a high index of suspicion when confronted by young HIV patients and further data/strategies to prevent early CHD in HIV-infected patients is warranted

References

Boccara F, et al. HIV and Coronary Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013;61:511–23