Connecting the links between flu and heart disease

Additionally, non-cardiac complications from the viral infection, including pneumonia and respiratory failure, can worsen heart failure symptoms or heart arrhythmia. Studies have demonstrated that the vaccine is effective at protecting the general population and most vulnerable age groups (older than 65 and younger than 2) from severe cases of influenza. Furthermore, it's protective against cardiovascular mortality as well, especially among the high-risk population. In his review study, Nasir and his team dove deeper into why the rates of influenza vaccine uptake were low within the population at high risk of CVD and found several sociodemographic factors. Influenza vaccine rates were particularly low in patients younger than 65 years of age, non-Hispanic black patients, those without health insurance and patients with lesser access to health care resources. Additionally, various psychological factors also played a role. These included perceived vaccine efficacy, vaccine safety, and sentiments towards vaccination. According to Nasir, “The rate of influenza vaccination in U.S. adults with CVD remains much lower than the national target despite known incidence of increased influenza-related complications, cardiovascular events, and deaths in this high-risk population. Vaccine uptake is a complex interplay of sociodemographic factors including age, insurance status, and health care access, as well as behavioral factors such as perception of vaccine efficacy and safety. Multi-level strategies to increase awareness of vaccine effectiveness and its limited side effect profile, and efforts to improve accessibility are urgently warranted, in this vulnerable and expansive patient population.” Because influenza viruses are constantly mutating, scientists alter the vaccine each year to match the likely prevalent strands. On average, a vaccine’s effectiveness at preventing infection is 40% — which is sufficient to significantly lower the risk of severe illness in most people. As a result of the demonstrated benefits conferred by influenza vaccination and the risks posed by this infection among those with CVD, several international scientific societies including the CDC, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology strongly recommend annual influenza vaccination in patients with CVD. Unfortunately, many heart patients visit their cardiologists more frequently than their primary care providers, and cardiology practices typically do not provide flu vaccinations, though proposed recommendations may change in the future. Until then, it is incumbent upon both the cardiology provider and the primary care provider to communicate the increased risk to their patients and the importance of getting vaccinated. Clinicians and health care professionals should ensure high rates of influenza vaccination, especially in those with underlying chronic conditions, to protect against acute cardiovascular events associated with influenza.