Studies have highlighted the multisystem involvement of tuberculosis (TB), including its impact on the cardiovascular system through various mechanisms. These effects can lead to severe complications such as atherosclerotic lesions in coronary arteries, constrictive pericarditis, and heart failure. A meta-analysis of 10 studies involving 46,715 TB patients reported a pooled prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at 11%. This underscores the heightened risk of CVD among TB patients.[2]
Healthcare providers should prioritize assessing CVD risk in TB patients. Screening for risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use is crucial for early detection and intervention. Lifestyle modifications, including a healthier diet and regular exercise, can significantly reduce the prevalence of CVD in this population. Encouraging TB patients to adopt healthy habits and monitoring them for CVD development can help mitigate these risks. When necessary, timely interventions should be implemented.[2]
Given the complexity of TB and CVD, effective management often requires collaboration among various medical specialists. It is important to note that this analysis included only English-language studies, with most conducted in Asia. The absence of studies from Europe and Oceania limits the global applicability of these findings.[2]
A diagnosis of TB indicates an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This finding has significant implications for TB research and patient care. Physicians treating patients with active TB should consider them at higher risk for CVD. Prospective studies could explore the mechanisms leading to increased CVD risk in individuals diagnosed with TB. Additionally, TB programs and healthcare providers might consider offering cardiovascular health assessments to those with active TB, following current CVD screening guidelines.[1]
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