Are we at risk of having a heart attack after flu? Experts made important warnings on this issue.
Cold winter months cause an increase in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases. Research by scientists shows that flu infection increases the risk of heart attack by 5 times, especially between 3 days after the onset of flu and 3 months. Therefore, those with heart disease should get both the flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine during this period. Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz warns about the issue: “Flu infections increase with the opening of schools and the change of seasons. Flu can manifest itself with symptoms such as cough, high fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. "While these infections can sometimes lead to serious consequences, they can often affect daily life for 3-4 days to 10 days."
Increased Inflammation Due to Flu May Have Effects on Cardiovascular Diseases
Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz said, “The main cause of death worldwide is cardiovascular diseases. An increase in deaths due to these diseases is observed, especially during the cold winter months. "The reasons for this increase may be that cold weather conditions constrict and narrow the vessels, and also the effect of the increased inflammation in the body due to flu on the cardiovascular vessels," he says. According to research, there is a 5-fold increase in the risk of heart attack between 3 days after the onset of flu and 3 months. The risk of heart attack is already high in people with high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking habits, but this risk increases even more in case of flu. Because most of the deaths caused by flu are due to cardiovascular diseases. Especially people over the age of 60 and those with a history of heart disease should be closely monitored during flu periods.
Does the Flu Vaccine Cause Harm?
Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz states that there are different theories about how flu infection contributes to the increase in cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. While one theory suggests that the inflammatory condition created by the flu infection in the body disrupts the inner surface of the vessels and facilitates clot formation, another theory claims that the protective substances produced by the body's immune system against the flu virus may damage the inner surface of the vessels. Both theories suggest that flu and similar infections can affect the vessels by increasing the inflammatory reaction in the body. Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz also makes statements about the safety of vaccines: “Some patients may worry that vaccines may harm them. However, research shows that the flu vaccine does not increase the risk of heart attack and does not cause serious side effects. "Heart patients should protect themselves and get vaccinated during this period."
Who Should Get the Flu Vaccination?
Both the flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine are recommended, especially for people at risk. The flu vaccine can be renewed every year and has been defined by the Ministry of Health. Pneumonia vaccine can be administered every 5 years. Both vaccines are important because mortality rates increase when faced with influenza, pneumonia and chronic diseases. Vaccinating people at risk can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and death.
Who should get vaccinated?
- Those with existing heart disease such as heart failure and coronary artery disease.
- Heart valve patients.
- Heart patients who have undergone surgery.
- Congenital heart patients.
- Vaccination is not recommended for healthy children, but mass vaccination can be administered in nurseries and kindergartens if there is a risk.
- Vaccination is recommended for children with weak immune systems, children born prematurely, underweight or overweight, those with permanent diseases or disorders, especially children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years with congenital or acquired heart disease or heart anomalies. Upper respiratory tract infections are common in these children.
- Vaccination is recommended for cancer patients. In addition, people with risk factors such as heart diseases, diabetes, kidney disease (BSHA - Science and Health News Agency)