Daha Ioana Cristina 1, Olaru Ioana 2, Iernici Alexandra 1, Ionescu R. A. 3, Dan Gh. A. 1
1 University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest; Cardiology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest
2 „Prof. Dr. Matei Balş” National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
3 University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest; Internal Medicine Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are major public health problems causing significant morbidity and mortality in millions of people worldwide. There is growing evidence that there is an association between HCV infection, cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction. HCV induces a chronic pro-inflammatory state and promotes atherosclerosis, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and the development of type II diabetes mellitus, thus increasing the cardiovascular risk. It can also have a direct effect on the myocardium causing myocarditis and cardiomyopathy in susceptible individuals.