The impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health behaviors in people living with HIV

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on cardiovascular health behaviors including diet, physical activity, medication adherence, and self-care among people living with HIV (PLWH) remains unknown. Using qualitative analyses, we examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular health behaviors among PLWH. Twenty-four PLWH were enrolled in this multisite study from September to October 2020. Individuals participated in semi-structured telephone interviews that were recorded, transcribed, and coded by 4 independent coders. Codes were adjudicated and analyzed for common themes. Participants were, on average, 59.2 years old (+/−9.4), 75% African American (n = 18) and 71% male (n = 17). The pandemic altered cardiovascular disease health behaviors. PLWH changed diet based on stay-at-home orders and food access. Alterations in physical activity included transitioning from gym and group class exercise to home-based exercise. Antiretroviral adherence was maintained, even when other health behaviors wavered, suggesting resilience in PLWH that may be harnessed to maintain other health behaviors.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• HIV
• cardiovascular
• diet
• physical activity

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the NHLBI under grant U01 HL142099; NINR under grant K23 K23NR019744; and NINR grant R01 NR018391.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by NHLBI [grant number U01 HL142099]; National Institute of Nursing Research [grant number K23NR019744, R01 NR018391].