Flu jab lowers risk of heart attack

Vaccination against winter flu may also lower your risk of having a heart attack by a fifth, according to new research.

The protective effect was found to be greatest when the flu jab was given early in the autumn, at the start of the flu season.

The number of heart attacks generally increases during winter months, and a link between respiratory infections such as flu and pneumonia has been suggested.

Researchers from the University of Lincoln looked at data from more than 78,000 GP patients aged 40 or older, to find if preventing flu also led to a reduction in the number of heart attacks.

Flu vaccination within the past year was associated with a 'significantly reduced' rate of heart attacks overall.

However, those who were vaccinated between September and mid-November were 20 per cent less likely to have a heart attack compared with a 12 per cent reduction in those who were vaccinated after this time.

The findings are published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

In the UK, people in flu high risk groups such as those with pre-existing health conditions, pregnant women and those aged 65 and over are offered the vaccine from the beginning of September.

The flu vaccine may have to be given within a specific time window if the research is replicated by others, the scientists said.

Study leader Dr Niroshan Siriwardena said: "Our findings reinforce current recommendations for annual influenza vaccination of target groups, with a potential added benefit for prevention of acute myocardial infarction in those without established cardiovascular disease."

"This benefit may lead to an increase in suboptimal rates of vaccination, particularly among younger patients."

This article was published on Tue 21 September 2010