How does flu affect cardiovascular health?
The flu is a respiratory infection and although it mainly affects the lungs, its effects can be very serious on the heart. When you have the flu, your body will experience serious symptoms such as cough, high fever, body aches and fatigue. The flu can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing stress on the heart, leading to more severe heart failure or even stroke in severe cases.
According to Dr. Vivek Mahajan, cardiologist at Fortis Kalyan Hospital (India), although the influenza virus rarely attacks the heart muscle that causes myocarditis, but in patients with heart failure, the flu can worsen the disease. In particular, the flu can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs, reduce the amount of oxygen supply to the body and cause stress to the heart, make heart failure worse.
In addition, people with heart disease are at higher risk of experiencing acute cardiovascular complications when having the flu. Inflammation caused by the flu can disrupt plaque in the arteries, leading to blockage and the risk of blood clots, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially in older adults.
Influenza complications in people with heart disease
For people with heart disease such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, Dr. Vivek Mahajan says that the flu can make symptoms worse and even require hospitalization. Symptoms such as fever and dehydration can increase the burden on the heart, while respiratory problems can reduce the amount of oxygen in the body, making the heart work harder.
How to protect yourself from the flu
Dr. Mahajan recommends that people with heart disease should be vaccinated against influenza, as this is the most effective way to reduce the risk of serious complications when getting the flu.
A major study published in the Indian Journal of Cardiology shows that flu vaccination within 72 hours of becoming infected can reduce the risk of death, heart attack or stent congestion by up to 28% and reduce the risk of heart-related death by 42%.
