Infections and Cardiovascular Disease JACC Focus Seminar 1/4

The burden of cardiovascular diseases is sharply rising in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Along with the increasing rates of cardiovascular risk factors in these regions, there is a growing recognition of the contribution of neglected tropical diseases and other infections. Several cardiac implications of these infections have been reported but have not yet been validated by robust population data. This is in part due to limited access to health care and insufficient data collection infrastructure in many LMICs. Therefore, the true impact of these infections on the cardiovascular system may be underestimated, because of both underdiagnosis and underreporting bias. There is an urgent need to thoroughly delineate the cardiac impact of these conditions with elevated prevalence in LMICs and to propose strategies to reduce the negative consequences of these diseases in health systems with limited resources. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2023;81:71-80) (c) 2023 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Automated summary

The burden of cardiovascular diseases is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, and alongside this, there is a recognition of the contribution of neglected tropical diseases and other infections. However, there is limited access to healthcare and insufficient data collection infrastructure, resulting in underestimation of the true impact of these infections on the cardiovascular system. Thorough research and strategies are urgently needed to address this issue in health systems with limited resources.