People suffering from HIV disease are more subject to heart troubles, the American Heart Association (AHA) said.

Three-quarters of HIV patients over the age of 45 are having significantly more heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes earlier in life compared with those who don’t have HIV, noted a scientific statement published in the journal Circulation.

“Chronic inflammation and immune activation [or response] appear to be the primary drivers of high heart disease risk in HIV,” stressed Matthew Feinstein, MD, chair of the writing group for the statement and assistant professor of medicine and preventive medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago.

“Several studies have now shown that worse HIV control is associated with higher risks for heart disease,” Dr. Feinstein told Everyday Health.

“So the first and most important step in preventing heart disease in HIV is getting the HIV under control with the right medications prescribed by HIV specialists and primary care doctors,” he added.