Flu shots can protect patients with heart failure from death

The flu has long been associated with an increased risk of life-threatening cardiovascular events, and people with heart failure are already vulnerable to poor health outcomes.

An international study led by McMaster University researchers and published in The Lancet Global Health has found that influenza vaccines greatly reduce both pneumonia and cardiovascular complications in people with heart failure. The study is the first clinical trial of the flu vaccine's effectiveness in patients with heart failure.

The study showed that over the entire year the influenza vaccine reduced pneumonia by 40 per cent and hospitalization by 15 per cent in patients with heart failure. During influenza season in the fall and winter, the influenza vaccine reduced deaths by 20 per cent in these patients.

Patients with the condition have a 50 per cent chance of dying within five years, while 20 per cent are hospitalized for cardiovascular complications every year. Importantly, when looked into low and middle-income countries where 80 per cent of cardiovascular disease occurs and where flu vaccination rates are low. So this study definitely highlights the importance of getting your flu shot done today.

Reference:

Flu shots can protect patients with heart failure from death; JOURNAL: The Lancet Global Health.