– Influenza causes inflammation, and can affect the clotting tendency of the blood. These are factors that are central to the development of a heart attack, says doctor Oscar Kristiansen. He is head of department at the medical department at Drammen Hospital, and has a doctorate in heart diseases. Kristiansen is experiencing that the hospital is admitting more patients with heart disease after an outbreak of influenza. – I don’t think this is well enough known among cardiac patients. I hope that increased knowledge about this connection can contribute to more of the risk patients with heart disease taking the flu vaccine, says the head of department. This is what the flu virus looks like under the microscope. Research shows that the disease can cause heart attacks in those who already have heart disease. Photo: colourbox.com Six times higher risk Most of us become acquainted with the flu virus at least once in our lives. The infection causes well-known symptoms such as fever, cough and muscle pain, and the disease usually goes away on its own. – Influenza causes an inflammation that can trigger a heart attack, says doctor Oscar Kristiansen. Photo: Caroline Utti / news But one group in the population risks far more serious consequences. Studies show that those who already have cardiovascular disease are six times more likely to have a heart attack if they become infected. – Previous heart attacks are a very important risk factor for new heart attacks. This patient group is therefore extra vulnerable, says Kristiansen. Covid-19 is also linked to the development of serious heart disease. Since the pandemic started, cardiovascular diseases have claimed 3,150 more lives than expected. – Stresses the heart – The infection causes an acute inflammation in the body. It can affect blood pressure, heart rate and heart function, says manager at the Influenza Center in Bergen, Rebecca Cox. She also believes there is a clear connection between heart attacks and influenza. – It has been proven that heart attacks occur more often during, or immediately after, an acute inflammatory disease such as influenza, says Cox. Rebecca Jane Cox is professor and head of the influenza center at the University of Bergen. Photo: Christian Lura / news Although most of us get away with moderate ailments, the flu is far from a harmless disease, according to Cox. – Next to covid-19, influenza is the most serious respiratory infection we have. 1.6 million people in Norway are recommended the annual flu vaccine. It reflects how serious it can be, she says. The vaccine protects A recent meta-analysis shows that the flu vaccine also provides protection against acute heart disease. Researchers have found that the vaccine reduces the risk of heart attack by 26 percent. The syringe also results in 33 per cent fewer deaths as a result of heart disease. – This type of collective analysis has high scientific value and we can trust the results. The study documents that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, says doctor Oscar Kristiansen. The flu vaccine can protect heart patients against heart attacks, a recent study shows. Photo: Rosa Irén Villalobos / news Fewer take the vaccine Despite the good protection, fewer and fewer choose to take the flu vaccine. According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 41 per cent of the group over 65 have been vaccinated against influenza. Only 18 per cent of those aged between 18 and 64 in the risk groups have been vaccinated. Only 3.2 per cent of the children in the risk groups have received the protective injection. At the same time, FHI has warned that this year’s flu season could be severe. Acting general secretary of LHL, Mari Larsen. Photo: Privat Of the cases that have been detected so far, it is mainly influenza virus type A, with the subtypes H1N1 and H3N2. The population has less protection against the latter because it has been a long time since the virus caused large outbreaks with many infected. – There is reason to believe that too few heart patients are aware of the direct link between influenza and an increased risk of heart attack, says Acting Secretary General Mari Larsen of the National Association for Heart and Lung Disease. LHL annually sends out information to its members about the importance of getting vaccinated. – Our clear advice is that people with heart disease should get vaccinated against influenza. Here, the health authorities and GPs should probably provide more information and, not least, closer follow-up of the patients, says Larsen.
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Can trigger a heart attack – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
