By Peter Laird, MD
The Canadian Medical Association Journal has an interesting report on preventing heart attacks during the cold and flu season by a simple adherence to obtaining the annual seasonal influenza vaccine. Siriwardena, et al report their findings in the article: Influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination and risk of acute myocardial infarction: matched case-control study.
Influenza vaccination within the past year was associated with a 19% reduction in the rate of acute myocardial infarction among patients aged 40 years and over. Influenza vaccination administered within influenza season was also associated with a significant reduction (20%) in the rate of acute myocardial infarction. We found that early vaccination within the influenza season (i.e., September to mid-November) was associated with greater benefit than vaccination later in the season (21% v. 12% reduction in the rate of acute myocardial infarction compared with no vaccination). Pneumococcal vaccination or combined vaccination had no additional benefit compared with influenza vaccination alone.
Influenza vaccines are well tolerated by the majority of patients and work well to also prevent the secondary pneumonia that often follows the flu. It does so by protecting the internal lining of the lungs that is damaged by the influenza virus. We can now add the further benefit of preventing heart attacks in those that obtain flu vaccines, especially those in the very beginning of the flu season. I am no fan of needles in general, but a shot in the arm is good protection especially for high risk patients such as those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
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