In case you haven’t heard, there is a real link between flu and heart attack. In fact, in the week after you are diagnosed with the flu your risk of having a heart attack is 6 times higher!
The people most at risk are those over age 65, and people who have risk factors for heart disease. Those risk factors are far too common — high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol.
What is it about the flu that increases heart attack risk?
Flu is very stressful for your body. There’s inflammation going on. Your breathing is compromised causing your oxygen levels to drop. Your blood pressure often drops. These changes increase the possibility of blood clots forming in the blood vessels that supply your heart. If a section of your heart doesn’t get enough blood flow, you’ll have a heart attack.
What should you do?
Get a flu shot! Even though it’s less effective than in past years, you’ll be less likely to get the flu. If you do get the flu, it will be milder. And now you know that getting the flu shot can reduce your risk of heart attack.
