Heart Attacks Triggered by Flu

If you have existing cardiovascular disease, a flu vaccine could help you more than you might think. It’s possible that the vaccine could save your life.

British researchers found that the flu may assist in triggering heart attacks, and it may account for a 35 to 50% increase in heart attack deaths during flu season. The research was published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Additional past research reviewed in the current study found that people vaccinated against seasonal influenza were not as likely to experience a heart attack. The American Heart Association recommends that people who have cardiovascular disease should receive an annual flu vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 21 states are currently reporting widespread influenza activity. To help reduce flu spread, the US Dept. of Health and Human Services suggests that sick individuals should stay home for seven days after symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

For CDC guidelines on who should get the H1N1 vaccine, visit flu.gov.

(Image of sputnum via Wikimedia Commons/CDC)