CLEVELAND — As we near the end of February, which is American Heart Month, 3News is focusing on ways to improve your heart health.
Getting your flu shot might help.
The CDC says flu season peaks from December through February. The flu has been linked to poor cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and strokes. Preventive Cardiologist Dr. Sadeer Al-Kindi with University Hospitals' Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute says preventing the flu can reduce your risk of cardiac problems.
“Vaccination for Influenza is one of the most important medical interventions that we can do for individuals who present a heart attack,” Dr. Al-Kindi said.
Dr. Al-Kindi added that we need to raise awareness of the combination of having heart disease and influenza. “Now we’re in the Covid pandemic, which is having a triple exposure and is not well tolerated, especially in patients who have had heart attacks in the past, strokes in the past.”
New research from the American Heart Association found people vaccinated against the flu within 72 hours of a heart attack have added health benefits that go beyond flu season, such as removing blockage and restoring blood flow in the brain, which can minimize the damage of a stroke.
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