Flu vaccination associated with lower risk of death in patients with high BP

According to a study presented at the ESC Congress 2019, influenza vaccination may improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension.

By: ANI | | Published: September 2, 2019 10:39 am

Vaccination is safe, cheap, readily available, and decreases influenza infection. © Shutterstock

Influenza vaccination is associated with eight per cent reduced risk of death during flu season among patients with high blood pressure, suggests a study.

After adjusting for patient differences, in a given influenza season, vaccination was associated with an 18 per cent relative reduction in the risk of dying from all causes, a 16 per cent relative reduction in the risk of dying from any cardiovascular cause, and a 10 per cent relative reduction in the risk of dying from heart attack or stroke.

“We show that influenza vaccination may improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension. During the nine flu seasons we studied, vaccine coverage ranged from 26% to 36%, meaning that many patients with high blood pressure were not vaccinated. If you have high blood pressure, it would be worth discussing vaccination with your doctor,” said Modin.

Regarding how flu and cardiovascular disease might be connected, Modin noted that when the influenza virus infects the body it triggers a strong immune reaction and subsequent inflammation. These responses fight the infection and clear the virus from the body but may increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Published : September 2, 2019 10:39 am

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