Chronic and Other Conditions That Increase CVD Risk

Cardiovascular risk assessment traditionally includes biological (e.g., blood pressure, serum cholesterol) and behavioral (e.g., tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high saturated fat diet, physical inactivity) measures, as well as the presence of chronic conditions known to increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (e.g., diabetes mellitus, obesity). However, there are other chronic conditions (e.g., HIV, rheumatoid arthritis) that also increase and enhance CVD risk. In this chapter, we provide an overview of these chronic health and other health conditions (spontaneous coronary artery dissection [SCAD], obesity), rheumatology, and positive human immunodeficiency virus status and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV+/AIDS) along with commonalities in their biological pathways that increase or decrease CVD risk. An evaluation of these conditions as part of a comprehensive CVD risk assessment may help to identify at-risk individuals who would benefit from concomitant primary, secondary, or tertiary CVD prevention strategies and interventions. A case study to apply prevention approaches to address the enhanced risk posed by HIV is presented as an example.