Protect Your Heart This Flu Season With a Flu Shot
When your body is fighting the flu, the infection and resulting inflammation can place additional strain on the heart. For someone with cardiovascular disease, that added strain can make an existing condition more difficult to manage.
Influenza has also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. People with heart disease are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, so annual vaccination is an important part of protecting their health during flu season.
How does the flu shot help?
The flu vaccine is updated each year based on which strains are expected to circulate during the upcoming season. Vaccination cannot prevent every case, but it can reduce your risk of getting the flu and help protect against severe illness if you do become infected.
Research has shown that flu vaccination is associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among people with heart disease. Vaccination can also reduce the likelihood of severe flu-related outcomes that may require hospitalization.
Because vaccine protection decreases over time and circulating flu viruses can change, a new flu vaccine is recommended each year.
What should heart patients know before getting vaccinated?
For most heart patients, cardiovascular disease does not prevent them from receiving a flu shot. However, some factors may affect which flu vaccine is appropriate for you.
For example, the nasal spray vaccine is generally not recommended for people with heart disease. Certain allergies, previous vaccine reactions, or other medical circumstances may also require additional consideration.
If you have questions about which flu vaccine you should receive, talk with your provider about your medical history.
fProtect your health this flu season
Flu season brings additional health risks for people with cardiovascular disease, but vaccination can help lower those risks. An annual flu shot is a simple step you can take to help protect your health.
At Oklahoma Heart Hospital, we’re here to help you care for your heart through every season of life. From prevention to advanced treatment, our team is ready to provide the specialized care you need to keep your heart at its best.
Contact us to schedule an appointment.