Heart attack six times more likely during flu
FLU victims are six times more likely to suffer a heart attack within a week than those who escape the virus, a study revealed yesterday.
Scientists say their findings reinforce the need for those at high risk to be vaccinated.
Researchers found a “significant association” between acute respiratory infections, especially flu, and heart problems.
The Canadian study showed the chance of a heart attack was six times as great in the first seven days of a laboratoryconfirmed flu case.
Study lead Dr Jeff Kwong, of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and Public Health Ontario, said: “An association between influenza and acute myocardial infarction (the technical name for a heart attack) reinforces the importance of vaccination.
“Our findings, combined with previous evidence that flu vaccination reduces cardiovascular events and mortality, support international guidelines that advocate for influenza immunisation in those at high risk of a heart attack.”
Research published in the New England Journal Of Medicine looked at nearly 20,000 adult cases of lab-confirmed flu between 2009 and 2014.
Heart attack risk increased in the first seven days of diagnosis and results suggested it is higher for older adults, patients having their first heart attack and those with influenza B.
This winter’s confirmed flu death toll stands at 120 with significantly more deaths among the over-65s than usual.
The most virulent flu strain, influenza B, includes the H3N2 or Aussie flu virus, thought to have killed Bethany Walker, 18, of Applecross in the Scottish Highlands earlier this month who was airlifted in vain to hospital after she fell ill.
Experts said this year’s season is the worst since 2010-11, when swine flu became part of normal winter illness after the 2009 pandemic.
Latest figures show a 150 per cent increase in patients turning up at their GP with “flu-like symptoms” since the start of the year, according to the Royal College of GPs (RCGP).
An estimated 31,300 patients in England attended between January 8-14, up more than 9,000 on the previous week.
RCGP chief Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard said: “General practice continues to face huge winter pressures with a significant increase in patients presenting with influenza and high numbers of patients continuing to present with other common winter illnesses.
“GP practices have prepared well in order to deliver the best possible care. But patients can also help in keeping themselves safe and well during the cold weather.
“The best prevention for flu, other than good hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, is for people – particularly those in at-risk groups including patients with longterm conditions and pregnant women – to get their flu jab.
“It is not too late to receive benefit from vaccination.
“If someone does have the flu unfortunately there is no cure, but patients can assist their own recovery through taking plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids as it is easy to become dehydrated.”
Dr Kwong added: “People at risk of heart disease should take precautions to prevent respiratory infections through measures including vaccinations and hand washing.”