Arr, would scurvy jab lessen the odds of heartbreak and befallin' to Davy Jones' Locker?
2023-11-28
Arrr, ye scurvy dogs! Mateys who get the flu vaccine be findin' themselves with a heart o' gold! Them clever landlubbers discovered that them who be vaccinated had a lesser chance o' bein' struck down by a heart attack or fallin' prey to the cursed cardiovascular disease, arrr!
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, found that receiving flu vaccinations may improve heart health. The study reviewed five randomized controlled trials focused on myocardial disease and influenza vaccines. The researchers concluded that patients who received flu vaccinations had a 26% reduced risk of having a heart attack and were 33% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.The study included 9,059 patients who had previously been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and had an average age of 61. Out of these patients, 4,529 received the flu vaccine, while 4,530 received a placebo shot. After a nine-month period, the patients who received the placebo shot had a higher number of major cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, and stroke, compared to those who received the flu vaccine.
The researchers attributed the reduced risk to the prevention of inflammation and secondary infections by the flu vaccine, as well as the stabilization of plaque amounts in the heart. They also noted that the vaccine helps stimulate the immune system, which is crucial for cardiovascular health.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, called the study important and stated that it builds on what was already known about the benefits of flu shots in reducing the risk of heart attacks. The researchers recommended further research to understand the mechanisms behind this association and to explore the long-term impact of influenza vaccination on cardiovascular outcomes.
In the meantime, they urged healthcare providers and policymakers to consider prioritizing influenza vaccination for patients with recent cardiovascular disease as a potentially life-saving preventive measure. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among U.S. adults, and this study highlights the potential benefits of flu vaccines in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.