- What You Need to Know About HIV
- HIV Treatment
- Handling the Side Effects of HIV Meds
- Talking about HIV
- HIV Meds and Heart Health
- HIV Meds and Heartburn
- HIV Meds and Lipids
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Tips to Work With Your Healthcare Team
HIV Meds and Lipids
[ Taking Care of Your Heart ] [ Thinking About the Long Term ]
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In general, lipids can be affected by some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and by most protease inhibitors (PIs). 1 Some PIs affect lipids more than others. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the differences among PIs and their different effects on lipids so you know all of your PI options. If one (or more) of your HIV meds is seriously affecting your cholesterol and triglycerides , your doctor may want to switch you to other HIV meds that have less impact on your lipids. 2
In general, protease inhibitors and some other kinds of HIV meds can affect your cholesterol to different degrees. A PI’s effect on lipids can be a significant issue:
- If you are already having problems with your cholesterol or other kinds of lipids
- If you have a family history of high cholesterol and/or heart disease
- If you are simply worried about the long-term health of your heart
Know Your Options: INVIRASE has a minimal effect on lipids.
- Boosted INVIRASE is recommended as a PI option for people living with HIV who are also at high risk for heart problems related to high cholesterol and triglycerides 2
- In studies, total cholesterol levels increased by less than 10% in patients taking saquinavir, the medicine in INVIRASE 3
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If you already know that you have unhealthy lipid levels or you have other risks for heart disease, your doctor may prescribe lipid-lowering medicines and/or suggest changes in your diet and lifestyle. Here are some choices you can make to protect your heart health—even if you don’t have a cholesterol or triglyceride problem. 4
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and cereals
- Avoid oils and fats like butter, hard margarine, vegetable oils and fried foods
- Add more physical activity to your routine
- Get help to lose weight if you need to
- If you smoke, get the support you need to quit
- Limit how much alcohol you drink
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You are living with HIV and want to think about your long-term plans and goals and your long-term positive health. In addition to working with your doctor, there are other ways to get the help you may need.
- Join a local support group or call a free help line for needed encouragement and advice when you decide to make a lifestyle change
- Team up with a friend who also wants to quit smoking, lose weight or eat healthier. A buddy system can help both of you if you set goals together and support each other along the way
- If eating healthier foods is difficult because they cost more or you have trouble getting food, please contact a local AIDS Service Organization or other community group that can connect you with a food pantry or other resource
Be kind to yourself. Lifestyle changes that benefit the heart can be difficult for anyone—and you are already living with the stress of managing your HIV. Working with your healthcare team to make a plan for your long-term health is the first step toward positive health.
Because you will not give in.
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This information does not include everything you may need to know about HIV and does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider.
