Flu infection raises risk of heart attack in first seven days

The risk of myocardial infarction is six times higher within the first seven days of a laboratory confirmed influenza diagnosis, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1 The risk is highest for older adults, patients with influenza B infections, and patients having their first heart attack.

The Canadian researchers said that their findings reinforce the importance of vaccination and that patients should not delay evaluation for heart symptoms, particularly in the first week of an acute respiratory infection. The study comes as the UK continues to see a rise in flu hospitalisations and GP consultations.

Previous studies …