Bilirubin is a yellow-orange natural antioxidant formed after the breakdown of red blood cells and eliminated from the body by the liver. Bilirubin acts as a natural defense and prevents the blockage of fat content on artery walls.

A research team from the Emory University in the US revealed that higher levels of bilirubin can lower the rate of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, heart failure and strokes.

This research study was conducted on 100,000 participants including both HIV and non-HIV patients, aged around 48 years on an average. The results were published in the Journal of the American Heart Association where the participants with higher levels of bilirubin had 76% risk for cardiovascular diseases as same as the group with the lower bilirubin levels.

This research study specifically focusses on people surviving with HIV infection and the ones who were consuming atazanavir, the anti-HIV drug which is meant to elevate bilirubin content. Still, there is no independent effect of atazanavir on cardiovascular risk.

Vincent Marconi, the lead author and Professor from the Emory University said, “Even if well-controlled by antiretroviral drugs, HIV infection has negative effects on cardiovascular health.”