Flu May Increase Heart Attack Risk
There is a growing body of evidence that avoiding the flu may also lessen your chances of suffering a heart attack.
Doctors have long noticed that heart attacks spike during the winter, and it is well known that influenza is associated with cardiac complications. A recent review of 42 articles and research studies set out to give the link a closer look, and found that flu appears to act as a trigger for myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiovascular death. They found an association between times when influenza viruses were circulating and increases in cardiovascular death, and there was also fairly consistent evidence for the link between flu and acute MI. (Studies looking at influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection were also included.)
In the studies, the percentage of excess influenza death attributable to heart disease ranged from 18% to 66%, with an average 35% to 50%.
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"Although results varied substantially between studies…even the lowest reported numbers for excess deaths due to cardiovascular disease were large," researchers said. It remains unclear what role flu plays in triggering acute MI, but it is believed the virus might cause MIs through an inflammatory process in the blood vessels, particularly in those people who have narrowing of the arteries due to coronary heart disease. Plaques in the arteries are more likely to rupture when someone contracts the flu, which may cause blockages that result in a heart attack. This is just one more reason to take precautions against the flu, particularly if you're at risk for heart problems.
See Are You Ready for This Flu Season?, Lifestyle Steps to Boost Your Immune System, or Are You Ready for This Flu Season? for nutrients, lifestyle changes and foods that can help boost and balance your immune system. To keep your heart protected and strong, try our Cardiovascular Support, with nutrients to protect blood vessels, support healthy cholesterol levels, and keep the blood flowing smoothly..
