The link between influenza and serious heart conditions just grew stronger.
In a new study, researchers examined more than 80,000 adult patients hospitalized with flu over eight seasons and found that sudden, serious heart complications were common, occurring in 12% of patients, or 1 in 8.
The study underscores the importance of getting a flu shot early.
The research was conducted by a team at CDC.
Previous to this study, there had been suggestions between the link, but the current study shows just how common it is.
In the study, the team found that 5% of patients hospitalized with the flu had a cardiac complication despite having no documented underlying conditions.
In adults hospitalized with flu, 12% had acute heart complications. Of these, 30% were admitted to the ICU and 7% died while in the hospital.
In the last month, there have been cases of otherwise healthy athletes showing signs of heart complications after recovering from COVID-19.
The team says they are not surprised this is happening to healthy people who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The virus can cause damage to the lungs and other organs, including the heart. Inflammation makes hearts vulnerable to potentially fatal arrhythmias during vigorous exercise.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every flu season.
According to the CDC, flu vaccination is always considered important for people at high risk of developing serious flu complications, including people with heart disease.
Flu shots are approved for people with heart disease, but people with heart disease should not receive the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV, also known as the nasal spray flu vaccine).
However, any intramuscular flu shot, such as any inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccine, would be appropriate.
One author of the study is Eric Chow, an infectious diseases fellow at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
The study is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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