Involvement of the cardiovascular system in patients with infectious and
parasitic diseases can result from both intrinsic mechanisms of the disease and
drug intervention. Malaria is an example, considering that the endothelial
injury by Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes can cause
circulatory disorders. This is a literature review aimed at discussing the
relationship between malaria and endothelial impairment, especially its effects
on the cardiovascular system. We discuss the implications of endothelial
aggression and the interdisciplinarity that should guide the malaria patient
care, whose acute infection can contribute to precipitate or aggravate a
preexisting heart disease.