Getting a Flu Shot May Help Reduce Your Risk of a Heart Attack

Key Takeaways

In addition to helping ward off a case of the common cold, getting your annual flu shot, according to new research, may even help reduce the risk of certain heart attacks in older adults.

In a new study, researchers have found a link between the influenza virus, cold temperatures, and an increased risk of type 1 heart attacks in people over the age of 60.

The study’s findings, which were published in April in theJournal of the American Heart Association,show why annualflu vaccinationis a key tool for preventing serious illness—both from the flu and other causes.

The studyincluded data on 8,240 people who had type 1 heart attacks over five consecutive flu seasons in Madrid, Spain. The researchers found an independent relationship between the flu virus and cold temperatures—factors that appear to play a part in theplaque rupturethat leads to a heart attack.

An Overview of Heart Attacks

The authors of the study concluded that receiving a flu vaccine could reduce the risk for type 1 heart attacks in people aged 60 and up.

“This is a reminder that the flu vaccine does more than protect us from getting the flu,”Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAAFP,chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association (AHA), tells Verywell. “The combination of getting the flu vaccine and managingLife’s Simple 7are the best ways to reduce the chances of a plaque-rupturing heart attack.”

Flu and Heart Attack Risk

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults are six times more at risk of having a heart attack in the week following a case of the flu.

Alan Yeung, MDWhen there is less flu, there is less incidence of type 1 heart attacks.

Alan Yeung, MD

When there is less flu, there is less incidence of type 1 heart attacks.

Research suggests that the flu virus can trigger a cytokine storm that produces widespread inflammation in arterial walls, which can lead to plaque disruption, arterial blockage, and a heart attack.

Benefits of a Flu Shot

The CDC recommends that everyone age six months and older receive an annual flu vaccination.

The influenza vaccine offers many health benefits for people of all ages.According to the CDC, getting an annual flu shot may:

The flu shot may alsoreduce the severity of COVID-19-related illness. Additionally, the same hand-washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing precautions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic can also help decrease the spread of the flu virus.

A Universal Flu Vaccine Is in the Works, and Could Replace Your Annual Flu Shot

Heart Attack Prevention

After you get your flu shot, there are also other ways you can reduce your risk of heart disease and having a heart attack.

The AHA outlinesLife’s Simple 7—seven lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke:

The Importance of Managing Stress

One of the best actions you can take for your heart and overall health is finding effective ways to reduce your stress levels.

Chronic stress has been associated with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are linked to poor cardiovascular health. Stress can also lead to overeating, smoking, and higher alcohol intake—practices that can also negatively affect heart health.

Other ways you can work on lowering your stress levels include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, using mindfulness and meditation, and talking with a mental health professional.

What This Means For YouThe CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months get a flu shot each year—if you can. In addition to helping prevent the flu and the serious illness it can cause, it may help reduce the risk of certain heart attacks. There are also other actions you can take to reduce your risk of a heart attack, like staying physically active, managing your stress levels, and quitting smoking.

What This Means For You

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months get a flu shot each year—if you can. In addition to helping prevent the flu and the serious illness it can cause, it may help reduce the risk of certain heart attacks. There are also other actions you can take to reduce your risk of a heart attack, like staying physically active, managing your stress levels, and quitting smoking.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Garcia-Lledo A, Rodriguez-Martin S, Tobias A, et. al.Relationship between influenza, temperature, and type 1 myocardial infarction: an ecological time-series study.J Am Heart Assoc.2021 Apr 20;10(8):e019608. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.019608Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Flu and people with heart disease or history of stroke.MacIntyre CR, Mahimbo A, Moa AM, Barnes M.Influenza vaccine as a coronary intervention for prevention of myocardial infarction.Heart. 2016;102(24):1953-1956. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-309983American Heart Association (AHA).Flu shot reduces risk of death for people with heart disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Who needs a flu vaccine and when.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).What are the benefits of flu vaccination?.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Garcia-Lledo A, Rodriguez-Martin S, Tobias A, et. al.Relationship between influenza, temperature, and type 1 myocardial infarction: an ecological time-series study.J Am Heart Assoc.2021 Apr 20;10(8):e019608. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.019608Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Flu and people with heart disease or history of stroke.MacIntyre CR, Mahimbo A, Moa AM, Barnes M.Influenza vaccine as a coronary intervention for prevention of myocardial infarction.Heart. 2016;102(24):1953-1956. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-309983American Heart Association (AHA).Flu shot reduces risk of death for people with heart disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Who needs a flu vaccine and when.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).What are the benefits of flu vaccination?.

Garcia-Lledo A, Rodriguez-Martin S, Tobias A, et. al.Relationship between influenza, temperature, and type 1 myocardial infarction: an ecological time-series study.J Am Heart Assoc.2021 Apr 20;10(8):e019608. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.019608Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Flu and people with heart disease or history of stroke.MacIntyre CR, Mahimbo A, Moa AM, Barnes M.Influenza vaccine as a coronary intervention for prevention of myocardial infarction.Heart. 2016;102(24):1953-1956. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-309983American Heart Association (AHA).Flu shot reduces risk of death for people with heart disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Who needs a flu vaccine and when.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).What are the benefits of flu vaccination?.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Flu and people with heart disease or history of stroke.

MacIntyre CR, Mahimbo A, Moa AM, Barnes M.Influenza vaccine as a coronary intervention for prevention of myocardial infarction.Heart. 2016;102(24):1953-1956. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-309983

American Heart Association (AHA).Flu shot reduces risk of death for people with heart disease.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Who needs a flu vaccine and when.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).What are the benefits of flu vaccination?.

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Key Takeaways#

Flu and Heart Attack Risk#

Alan Yeung, MD#

Benefits of a Flu Shot#

Heart Attack Prevention#

The Importance of Managing Stress#

What This Means For You#