Research on the Treatment of Early Hypertension among People Living with HIV in Haiti

Dr. Margaret McNairy, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Center for Global Health, and Dr. Bill Pape, Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, received an NIH award to study the feasibility of initiating antihypertensive treatment among people living with HIV (PLWH) with pre-hypertension (HTN) in Haiti.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with HIV and hypertension is a major driver of CVD. Pre-HTN is associated with increased CVD risk in PLWH as compared to adults without HIV. In a longitudinal cohort following PLWH in Haiti, HTN at ART initiation was a significant risk factor for mortality over 10 years. This study will test initiation of antihypertensive treatment among PLWH with pre-HTN to prevent progression to HTN, and ultimately CVD-related mortality.

The unblinded randomized controlled trial will be conducted among individuals living with HIV in Haiti and in care at GHESKIO, Weill Cornell’s research collaborator in Haiti. Individuals with pre-HTN who receive ART care at GHESKIO will be randomized to receive early hypertension treatment versus standard care. This study will provide evidence on whether earlier HTN treatment can reduce blood pressure and ultimately prevent incident CVD in PLWH.

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