Watch out for HIV blood fat

Researchers say that people who take a break from HIV treatment usually have lower levels of good cholesterol. The Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy study found that levels of good cholesterol went down more in those people who stopped treatment compared to those who kept taking treatment. Such people often need drugs to lower fat in the blood. But the doctors in the study emphasised the importance of a healthy lifestyle, to avoid obesity or high blood pressure. People living with HIV need to have a healthy diet, no smoking and take regular exercise. If this does not bring down blood fats, then a doctor can prescribe drugs.