Flu Shots and Heart Disease: What You Need to Know

Getting a flu shot is essential for maintaining good heart health when you have heart disease. The flu is an infectious disease that affects the nose, throat and lungs.

“For people with chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, the flu can cause serious health problems,” said Jason Sherer, MD, Catholic Health Cardiologist. ”Your heart has to work harder when you are sick, which can overwhelm an already weakened heart.”

An American Heart Association study found that one in eight patients with heart disease hospitalized with the flu had a serious, sudden heart complication. People with heart disease also make up about half of adults hospitalized with flu.

You can still get the flu after you have received a flu vaccine. However, you are likely to have a milder case and fewer symptoms if you are vaccinated.

What are the potential complications of the flu for people with heart disease?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get a flu shot. Getting an annual flu vaccination is especially important for people with heart disease.

Dr. Sherer explained that patients with heart disease are at a high risk of developing serious complications from the flu. The flu can cause the heart muscle to pump harder, increasing blood pressure. The added stress on the body can make heart disease symptoms worse. It can also increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure or other cardiovascular events.

Other potential complications of the flu include:

Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
Pneumonia
Pulmonary edema (fluid build-up in the lungs)

When should I talk to my doctor about getting a flu shot?

“The best time to get a flu shot depends on several factors, including any existing health conditions like heart disease,” said Dr. Sherer. “Patients with a history of cardiac issues should talk to their cardiologist when flu season begins to discuss when to get the flu shot.”

He noted that the influenza vaccination is safe for most people with heart disease.

Flu season usually runs from October to May and peaks between December and February. However, the exact start and end of the season are different every year.

The CDC recommends getting a flu shot in September or October since the vaccine takes about two weeks to start working. If you are 65 or older, your primary care physician (PCP) may recommend a high-dose flu vaccine to boost your immune system.

Talk to your PCP about getting a flu shot if you:

Have a fever
Have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past
Have or think you have COVID-19
Have recently had a heart attack, stroke or heart surgery

How can I prevent the flu?

Getting yearly flu shots is your best defense against the flu, especially if you have heart disease. You should also avoid crowds and close contact with people who are sick. The flu spreads quickly wherever people gather, such as schools and public transportation.

Get plenty of sleep and maintain a heart-healthy diet to keep your immune system working at its best to help reduce your risk of getting the flu.

“Remember, it takes two weeks after getting the flu shot to build up the antibodies you need to fight the flu virus,” said Dr. Sherer. “You will not be fully protected if exposed to the virus during that window.”