What Women with HIV Know about Heart Health and Cardiovascular Risk and Intervention Preferences

Lunthita M. Duthely (), Sanjana Satish, Sapna A. Kedia, Lilliana Vilchez, Priscilla T. Valls, Michaela E. Larson, Carolina Cruzval O’Reilly, Vanessa Hurtado, Maria Camila Bernal, Karla Inestroza, Nicholas F. Nogueira, Tiffany R. Glynn, Mariano J. Kanamori and Claudia A. Martinez
Additional contact information
Lunthita M. Duthely: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Sanjana Satish: Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Sapna A. Kedia: Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Lilliana Vilchez: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Priscilla T. Valls: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Michaela E. Larson: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Carolina Cruzval O’Reilly: School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon 00956, Puerto Rico
Vanessa Hurtado: Department of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33606, USA
Maria Camila Bernal: Department of Family Medicine, Baptist Health Medical Group, Miami, FL 33143, USA
Karla Inestroza: Department of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Nicholas F. Nogueira: Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Tiffany R. Glynn: Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Mariano J. Kanamori: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Claudia A. Martinez: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant health concern influenced by various determinants. Stigma and resilience have emerged as factors in CVD development and management. Women with HIV (WWH) have higher CVD rates than women without HIV. To improve cardiovascular health for WWH, a comprehensive understanding of how these factors interact, the understanding about individual awareness and willingness to engage in risk-reduction interventions are needed. Methods: As part of a study examining CVD risk among WWH aged >35 years old, 90-min focus groups were conducted (May 2022) in the English language. Focus groups aimed to elicit participants’ CVD risk knowledge and potential prevention strategies. Transcripts underwent a qualitative analysis. Results: Nineteen WWH participated in three focus groups. Participants experienced the following: (a) enacted stigma related to their HIV diagnosis (e.g., family, church member, healthcare staff); (b) a recent event (e.g., hospitalization of self/family, death in family, chest pain) triggered both heart health-promoting lifestyle changes and suboptimal health behaviors (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic: unhealthy snacking). Participants wanted to obtain more knowledge (“on a mission”) about CVD risk. In total, 100% expressed willingness to take medication or embark on other lifestyle changes to prevent future CVD events. Although participants identified preventative heart health behaviors (e.g., eating healthy foods; exercising; limiting stress, substances, and smoking), misconceptions were also identified (e.g., “catching” heart disease). Conclusions: Understanding the interplay of the different factors related to heart health is needed both at the provider and the patient level to inform interventions that reduce CVD risk amongst racial/ethnic minoritized women with HIV, living in the Southern region of the US.

Keywords: HIV; women; cardiovascular disease; qualitative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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