Protect your heart with a flu shot (plus 3 other vaccines)

Although influenza infections occur year-round, infections tend to spike during certain months, which are known as “flu season.” In the United States, flu season typically occurs during the fall and winter. These months see the highest number of flu illnesses, medical visits for flu symptoms, flu hospitalizations, and deaths related to the flu.

According to information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly half of adults hospitalized for the flu in a given year have some form of cardiovascular disease.

Also known as “heart disease” or “heart and blood vessel disease,” cardiovascular disease is a group of conditions that affect how blood moves through the body. The most common type of cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which is caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries. CAD can lead to irregular heart rhythm, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and other problems.

Flu and cardiovascular complications

For people with cardiovascular disease, influenza infections are associated with several serious complications, including heart attack, stroke, worsening heart failure, and injury to heart muscle.

Influenza infections can also lead to pneumonia, another complication where people with cardiovascular disease are at an increased risk. Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs, where the tiny air sacs in the lungs become clogged with fluid or pus. This type of infection can be life-threatening.

Protecting your heart and health during flu season

Vaccinations are the best step a person with cardiovascular disease can take to protect their health against illnesses like the flu. Your best source of information about vaccines will be a healthcare provider. Your pharmacist is also a great source of information. Here are four vaccines to discuss:

Annual flu shot

Flu vaccines are recommended for all adults. A flu vaccine will reduce a person’s risk of getting the flu. It can also help reduce the severity of the flu if a person does become infected. Flu vaccines are updated yearly to keep up with evolving strains of the influenza virus. There are several types of flu vaccines available, and a healthcare provider or pharmacist can recommend a specific vaccine based on age and health conditions like cardiovascular disease.

Pneumococcal vaccines

These are vaccines that protect against bacterial pneumonia and are recommended for adults with heart disease, people who have experienced a stroke, and all adults 50 years or older. While influenza is caused by a viral infection, bacterial infections can occur after having a viral infection—and are a leading cause of flu-related deaths. Talk to your HCP to find out if you are up to date on your pneumococcal vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine/booster

COVID-19 infections are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including heart attack and stroke. Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is associated with a lower risk of these complications. All adults are advised to speak with their healthcare provider about staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations.

RSV vaccine

This vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another virus that typically occurs in the fall and winter. There are three FDA-approved RSV vaccines available for adults. The CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for all adults over the age of 75. An RSV vaccine is also recommended for adults ages 50 to 74 who have an increased risk of severe RSV illness. This includes people with chronic medical conditions (like heart, lung, or kidney disease), weakened immune systems, and those who reside in nursing homes.

Your best source of information

Again, your best source of information will be a healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccines above, as well as other vaccines that you may need or may need to get caught up on.