Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:07PM EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Influenza can trigger deadly heart attacks, researchers said on Wednesday in a study that supports what experts have long believed -- flu can kill people even if they do not die directly from the flu.
Their report shows that the seasonal virus can worsen heart disease and that deaths from heart attacks and heart disease are far more common during flu season.
This can add up to 90,000 extra deaths a year in the United States alone, said Dr. Mohammad Madjid of the University of Texas-Houston, who led the study.
Writing in the European Heart Journal, the researchers said their findings add to a growing list of reasons why people should get annual flu shots. They also said people with heart disease should stick to their medications religiously.
"Our research has shown that influenza epidemics are associated with a rise in coronary deaths," Madjid said in a statement. "This calls for more intensive efforts to increase the vaccination rate in people at risk of coronary heart disease.
"This may be especially important in an influenza pandemic when we would expect to see high mortality among the elderly and those suffering from heart problems or who have multiple coronary risk factors," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment