Hi doc -- ok, I know HIV can affect heart disease, but what about stroke? My uncle and my dad both died of stroke. Will HIV increase my risk for stroke even more -- on top of the risk that comes with my family history?

The same study that looked at heart attacts in people with HIV on treatment and found an incresed risk with each extra year of combination therpy has also reported an increased risk of stroke with each extra year of therapy. They haven't looked so closely at which drugs might be most involved although a recent report suggested there was little or no difference for risk of stroke between the different nucs. The major risk factor for stoke beyond our old favourites age and smoking is high blood pressure. Knowing your family history should mean your doctors should be vigilant about this and start preventative measures (antihypertensives, statins, maybe aspirin) at a earlier time than someone without such a history.