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Heart Disease

November 16, 2022

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.

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