A new study reveals that infections like the flu and pneumonia increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
British researchers report in a recent study that influenza and pneumonia increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Their results suggest that vaccination against these two infections could have an essential role in preventing cardiovascular risk.
The results of this study are published in the European Respiratory journal.
A 6 times higher risk in case of respiratory infection
The risk of having a heart attack (heart attack) or stroke is six times higher after the flu or pneumonia. This is revealed by the largest study on the cardiovascular risk in the event of a respiratory infection. According to Charlotte Warren-Gash, Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, “heart disease, stroke and lower respiratory infections are the three main causes of death”.
The British researchers explain that there are two distinct phenomena: on the one hand respiratory infections increase the risk of heart attack and stroke by inducing inflammation which can promote the development of blood clots; on the other hand, the flu virus (influenza) and the bacterium responsible for pneumonia (S. pneumoniae) can have deleterious effects on the heart muscle.
A registry study
Specifically, the researchers analyzed national infection surveillance data (Scottish Morbidity Record) from 2004 to 2014 and identified 1,227 adults having had a first heart attack and 762 having had a first stroke, all in parallel with a viral or bacterial respiratory infection.
They find that during a respiratory infection patients are six times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. The bacterium S. pneumoniae and the influenza virus are, according to the researchers, the two microorganisms having the greatest impact on the increase in cardiovascular risk.
The relevance of vaccination
The repercussions of infections on cardiovascular risk are more serious in people under 65, an age group where vaccination is more effective. Being vaccinated could therefore provide some protection against cardiovascular risk after a respiratory infection.
However, the researchers explain that they were unable to determine the individual effects of the most common respiratory viruses or to understand the pathophysiology of respiratory infections on the cardiovascular system. According to them, other viruses are triggers for cardiovascular events, without there being any vaccines against these pathogens.
They recommend that people with chronic conditions and those who are already at risk of heart attack and stroke get vaccinated.
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