Flu Shot May Ward Off Heart Attacks

Study suggests the shot can reduce risk for first heart attack
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 21, 2010 9:00 AM CDT
Flu Shot May Ward Off Heart Attacks
Information on the flu vaccine sits on a desk, Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, in Rockville, Md.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The flu shot may be good for you in more ways than one. A new study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that adults who took the flu vaccine were less likely to experience their first heart attack in the following year, CNN reports. Researchers looked at the medical records of more than 16,000 first-time heart attack sufferers, age 40 and over, and almost 62,700 who hadn’t had an attack.

After factoring out other risk factors like smoking or family history, they found that those who took the shot were 19% less likely to suffer their first heart attack. “By the nature of the study, it does not prove cause and effect,” said one of the authors, but it does show a strong association. (More flu shot stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X