Health & Medicine
Flu Shots Reduce Heart Attack, Stroke Risk in People With History of Cardiac Problems
Benita Matilda
First Posted: Oct 23, 2013 07:46 AM EDT
A new study highlights the benefits of flu shots other than reducing the influenza complications. The study found that the vaccine can reduce heart attack and stroke risk in people with a history of cardiac problems.
The study conducted by Dr. Jacob Udell, a cardiologist at Women's College Hospital and clinician-scientist at the University of Toronto suggests that the flu vaccine halves the risk of heart attack or stroke in those who have had a heart attack. The protective effect of the vaccine is more in those who received more potent vaccine.
"Our study provides solid evidence that the flu shot helps prevent heart disease in vulnerable patients -- with the best protection in the highest risk patients," Dr. Udell said. "These findings are extraordinary given the potential for this vaccine to serve as yearly preventative therapy for patients with heart disease, the leading cause of death among men and women in North America."
In this study, the researchers reviewed six clinical trials that included 6,700 people. All the participants had a history of heart disease. The researchers noticed that those who took flu shots were 3 percent less likely to suffer major cardiac event like stroke, heart failure or heart attack, after one year. Also, they were 55 percent less likely to suffer from a major cardiac event if they had a recent heart attack. Above all they were less likely to die from cardiac related event.
"If the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of cardiac events, these shots could have considerable impact on cardiac health," said Dr. Udell.
According to researchers, only large clinical trials will prove the safety and efficiency of flu vaccine as a preventive measure for heart attack.
If it is proven safe, the impact could be significant for those who at a high risk of heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Udell concludes saying, "Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from cardiac causes in North America. While preventative care involves lifestyle changes and taking your pills, now, we may also be able to tell patients by getting your flu shot, it might save your life - what a simple and significant way to reduce deaths and the burden on our healthcare system."
The finding was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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First Posted: Oct 23, 2013 07:46 AM EDT
A new study highlights the benefits of flu shots other than reducing the influenza complications. The study found that the vaccine can reduce heart attack and stroke risk in people with a history of cardiac problems.
The study conducted by Dr. Jacob Udell, a cardiologist at Women's College Hospital and clinician-scientist at the University of Toronto suggests that the flu vaccine halves the risk of heart attack or stroke in those who have had a heart attack. The protective effect of the vaccine is more in those who received more potent vaccine.
"Our study provides solid evidence that the flu shot helps prevent heart disease in vulnerable patients -- with the best protection in the highest risk patients," Dr. Udell said. "These findings are extraordinary given the potential for this vaccine to serve as yearly preventative therapy for patients with heart disease, the leading cause of death among men and women in North America."
In this study, the researchers reviewed six clinical trials that included 6,700 people. All the participants had a history of heart disease. The researchers noticed that those who took flu shots were 3 percent less likely to suffer major cardiac event like stroke, heart failure or heart attack, after one year. Also, they were 55 percent less likely to suffer from a major cardiac event if they had a recent heart attack. Above all they were less likely to die from cardiac related event.
"If the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of cardiac events, these shots could have considerable impact on cardiac health," said Dr. Udell.
According to researchers, only large clinical trials will prove the safety and efficiency of flu vaccine as a preventive measure for heart attack.
If it is proven safe, the impact could be significant for those who at a high risk of heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Udell concludes saying, "Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from cardiac causes in North America. While preventative care involves lifestyle changes and taking your pills, now, we may also be able to tell patients by getting your flu shot, it might save your life - what a simple and significant way to reduce deaths and the burden on our healthcare system."
The finding was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone