Tuberculosis and Cardiovascular Complications

Tuberculosis is one of the major life-taking diseases all over the world, with most of the victims from low- and middle-income countries. The etiology of this disease is primarily a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Although it normally affects the lungs, dissemination can occur in the lymphatic system, the central nervous system (CNS), the gastrointestinal system, and the cardiovascular system. Though the leading cause of death globally, cardiovascular diseases tend to be especially lethal as TB-related heart complications in these regions; hence, understanding and management of cardiovascular issues in TB patients are even more critical. TB can cause various cardiovascular complications, ranging from the more common pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) to rarer conditions such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), coronary artery disease, and aortitis (inflammation of the aorta). These complications have a potential for the significant deterioration of the prognosis of TB patients; however, being mostly underdiagnosed or missed, requires a high degree of clinical awareness. This discussion addresses the complex interaction of TB and cardiovascular health.