People with Heart Disease Should Get Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines

Deaths from cardiovascular disease show a marked increase, particularly during the cold winter months. Research has shown that the risk of heart attack between 3 days after flu onset and 3 months is 5 times higher. People with heart disease should receive both flu and pneumococcal vaccinations during this period.

Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz warns;

"Schools have reopened and with the change of season, viral infections are becoming widespread. The disease can present with symptoms such as cough, high fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and so on. While viral infections can sometimes cause severe conditions, they typically affect daily life for 3-4 days to 10 days." Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz; "Moreover, worldwide, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of deaths from illness. Deaths from cardiovascular disease show a marked increase, particularly during the cold winter months. The increase in cardiovascular deaths during winter months may be due to the constriction effect of cold on blood vessels affecting narrowed vessels, or it may result from increased inflammation in the body due to flu becoming pronounced in coronary arteries and triggering a heart attack."

Heart attack risk increasing

Research has shown a 5-fold increase in the risk of heart attack between 3 days after flu onset and 3 months. The risk of heart attack is higher in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and smokers. In these people, the risk increases further during flu. Since a large portion of deaths from flu is related to cardiovascular disease, people over 60 years of age and those with known heart disease must be closely monitored when they have flu. Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz, who says "There are different theories about how flu plays a role in the increase of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke," explains: "The inflammatory condition created by the flu infection in the body damages the lining covering the inner walls of blood vessels, and as a result of this rupture, clotting becomes easier and the vessel becomes blocked. Another theory is that the protective substances produced by the body's immune system against the flu virus damage the inner wall of blood vessels. Seemingly simple diseases like flu, regardless of their type, lead to increased inflammatory reactions in the body. We currently have no alternative to the weapons we are using in the fight against the flu virus. If we follow the warnings given to prevent flu and get vaccinated, we protect ourselves not only from flu but also from the damage it would cause to the heart and blood vessels. Our patients often ask, 'The vaccine is also a virus. Doesn't this also cause a heart attack?' However, research has shown that there is no increase in the frequency of heart attacks after vaccination. Furthermore, no serious side effects have been observed. It should not be forgotten that heart patients must protect themselves during this period and receive their vaccinations," he warned.

Pneumococcal vaccination is important!

"Most importantly, we recommend both flu and pneumococcal vaccinations to our heart disease patients during this period," says Prof. Dr. Hayati Deniz; "Flu vaccination is done every year. The Ministry of Health has defined it and it is available in pharmacies. Pneumococcal vaccination is done every 5 years. When we have coronavirus, flu, or a chronic illness, pneumonia is what we contract most. When pneumonia occurs, hospitalization and mortality rates increase significantly. From this perspective, we emphasize pneumococcal vaccination. When patients in the risk group receive flu and pneumococcal vaccinations, hospitalization and mortality rates are much lower compared to those who are not vaccinated. Some patients may have prejudices against vaccines and refuse to be vaccinated. When you get the flu vaccine, flu is not completely prevented, but if you contract flu, it is milder," he said.

Who should be vaccinated?

1- Heart disease patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease 2- Patients with heart valve disease 3- Patients who have undergone heart surgery 4- Patients with congenital heart disease 5- Healthy children do not need vaccination. If there is risk in daycare centers and nurseries, group vaccination can be done. Otherwise, it is not necessary. 6- Children with weak immune systems, premature children, children with low or excessive weight, children with permanent disease or disorder, especially those with congenital and acquired heart disease and heart anomaly, children between 6 months and 5 years of age are recommended vaccination. Upper respiratory tract diseases are frequently seen in these children. 7- Worldwide and in our country, respiratory diseases are the 2nd cause of death in children under 5 years. Vaccination is recommended for people around these children. For example; mother, father, caregivers of the baby… 8- Vaccination is recommended for cancer patients. In addition, vaccination is recommended for those at risk with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease.