Flu Virus and Heart Patients

The common flue virus may increase your likelihood of dying from heart disease. Between the years of 1932 and 2008, a group of British researchers of 39 previous studies of heart patients showed an increase in the number of deaths from heart disease, as well as the occurrence of more heart attacks during flu season. This study, in fact, showed the increased death rate averaged from 35 percent to 50 percent. Doctors are urging all heart patients to get vaccinated against regular flu as well as the swine flu. Currently only about one-third of Americans who suffer from heart disease receive flu vaccines. Flu viruses can certainly cause swelling in the heart or coronary arteries, potentially triggering the breaking off of dangerous clots that can then lead to a heart attack. The researchers felt that flu viruses could possibly trigger heart attacks in those people having prior risk factors such as being overweight or having high blood pressure. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, now strongly recommends flu vaccines for all people who are at high risk of having serious seasonal flu-related complications. Those people who live with or care for others at high risk for serious seasonal flu-related complications to are also warned to get their flu shot. There are about 36,000 people dieing each and every year from flu.