Heart Disease
People with Heart Disease* and Those Who Have Had a Stroke Are at High Risk of Developing Complications from Influenza (the Flu)
People with heart disease and those who have had a stroke are at high risk for developing serious complications from the flu. Among adults hospitalized with the flu during the 2015-2016 influenza season, heart disease was among the most commonly-occurring chronic conditions; 41% of adults hospitalized with the flu during the 2015-2016 flu season had heart disease. Studies have shown that influenza is associated with an increase of heart attacks and stroke.
*Heart disease includes but is not limited to coronary artery disease [heart attack or myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome and angina (chest pain related to heart disease)]. It also includes the following common conditions:
- Heart failure
- Hypertensive heart disease
- Pulmonary heart disease
- Heart valve disorders
- Arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation
- Congenital heart defects
If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, you need to take steps to fight the flu.
