By Lucy Quinton The risk of heart attack or stroke is far higher following an attack of influenza o...
By Lucy Quinton
The risk of heart attack or stroke is far higher following an attack of influenza or other respiratory infections.
According to data analysed by scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, there is a significant risk of a heart attack and stroke occurring shortly after suffering from flu or chest problems.
According to the report, there is an excess of deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke during the winter months above those directly attributable to deaths from respiratory disease.
Mike Knapton, director of prevention and care at the British Heart Foundation, said: "We strongly recommend people take up the offer [of a flu jab] to protect themselves against this potential killer."
Joe Korner, director of communications at the Stroke Association, agreed with Knapton, adding that it was vital that anyone at high risk of stroke or other cardiovascular conditions had a flu vaccine each year to try and prevent such infections.
The report concluded that it may be the case that aborting or preventing attacks of influenza will reduce vascular events and there are some studies suggesting that this is the case, although there is no conclusive evidence.
Concurrently, it was revealed people who consumed a Mediterranean-style diet and exercised daily were more likely to live longer and were less likely to die of any type of cancer or heart disease.
Ellen Mason, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "The large study adds weight to previous research that being active and eating a Mediterranean-style diet reduces the risk of dying early, including from heart disease."
