HIV & Statins: CVD Risk Guidelines
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC),the American Heart Association (AHA),and the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA),has issued new recommendations for...
- The REPRIEVE study, a Phase III randomized controlled trial, assessed the effectiveness of pitavastatin in preventing ASCVD in PWH aged 40 to 75 with low to intermediate 10-year...
- Based on these findings, the HHS panel now recommends moderate-intensity statin therapy as the primary prevention strategy for PWH in the specified age range with low to intermediate...
A pivotal shift in HIV care: A U.S.Department of Health and human Services panel, with backing from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, now strongly recommends statin therapy, a form of cardiovascular disease management, for adults aged 40-75 living with HIV who face a low to intermediate risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This comes in light of the REPRIEVE study’s findings, which highlighted the accomplished use of pitavastatin in reducing adverse cardiac events, signaling an encouraging shift in how we approach the health of individuals with HIV. The panel also emphasizes statins for those with a 5% or greater 10-year ASCVD risk. News Directory 3 is covering this and other health guidelines, ensuring you stay informed on emergent health recommendations. Discover what’s next for HIV patients and heart health.
Panel Recommends Statins for Adults With HIV at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Updated May 26, 2025
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
A panel from teh U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC),the American Heart Association (AHA),and the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA),has issued new recommendations for statin therapy in people with HIV (PWH). The recommendations, informed by the REPRIEVE study, emphasize primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in this population, who face a higher risk of aging-related diseases.
The REPRIEVE study, a Phase III randomized controlled trial, assessed the effectiveness of pitavastatin in preventing ASCVD in PWH aged 40 to 75 with low to intermediate 10-year ASCVD risk. Results showed a 36% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared to placebo.
Based on these findings, the HHS panel now recommends moderate-intensity statin therapy as the primary prevention strategy for PWH in the specified age range with low to intermediate ASCVD risk. The panel also advises initiating statin therapy for individuals with a 10-year ASCVD risk score of 5% or higher.
For PWH under 40, the panel suggests individualizing decisions about statin therapy based on risk factors and family history. Recommended statins include pitavastatin (4 mg daily), atorvastatin (20 mg daily), or rosuvastatin (10 mg daily).
What’s next
The panel acknowledges the need for further research to fully understand the absolute risk of ASCVD and other nonischemic cardiovascular manifestations in people with HIV.