Flu vaccine halves risk of heart attack in vulnerable patients

A new study has revealed that flu vaccine may help to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by more than 50 percent among those who have a heart attack history.

Dr. Jacob Udell, a cardiologist at Women's College Hospital and clinician-scientist at the University of Toronto, said that the study provides solid evidence that the flu shot helps prevent heart disease in vulnerable patients- with the best protection in the highest risk patients.

The study, which reviewed six clinical trials on heart health in people who received the flu vaccine, included more than 6,700 patients with a history of heart disease.

It was found that people who received the flu shot has a 36 percent lower risk of a major cardiac event (heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or death from cardiac-related causes) one year later.

They also had a 55 percent lower risk of a major cardiac event if they had a recent heart attack and were less likely to die from cardiac-related and other causes.

The research also suggested that people who received the flu shot were less likely to have a major cardiac event with a more potent vaccine compared with the standard seasonal vaccine.

The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.