Studies: Flu Shots Help Protect the Heart

Getting a flu shot may decrease your risk of a heart attack, a new study finds. And the benefit is greatest for people with known heart disease. The new research combined the data from 6 studies on flu vaccines. They included nearly 7,000 people. Their average age was 67. About 36% had a history of heart disease. People were randomly assigned to receive flu vaccine or a placebo (fake) shot. Researchers kept track of them for an average of 8 months. In that time, the new study found, those who got the real vaccine were 36% less likely to have a heart attack, heart failure or related problems than those who got the placebo. The new study also took a separate look at just the 3 studies that included people with known heart disease. In these studies, flu shots reduced people’s risk of heart events by 55%. Flu shots are strongly recommended for people with heart disease.