Cooperative Living November/December 2022 - 22

HEALTHY TAKE
Research has
Lowering
the Risk
Story courtesy of Family Features
The importance of
regular immunizations
for heart health
linked flu infection
to cardiovascular
disease.
at risk for CVD were more likely to
become infected with and die from
COVID-19. Additionally, the research
found many people experience heart
and vascular disease after getting
COVID-19.
Research has found people
hospitalized with COVID-19 have had
a higher risk of stroke, compared with
people who had similar infectious
conditions such as influenza or sepsis.
" We can't stress enough the connections
W
hile most parents are good
at keeping track of vaccines
their kids need to stay healthy,
many adults don't realize there are
immunizations important for keeping
themselves heart-healthy, as well.
Adults, especially those with a history
of heart disease or stroke, should take
steps to stay up to date on preventive
vaccines, particularly for the flu and
COVID-19.
INFLUENZA
While many experience just a few
days of aches and chills, the flu can be
deadly for some, including young
children, the elderly and those with
chronic conditions like heart disease,
stroke and diabetes.
Research has linked flu infection to
cardiovascular disease. Getting a flu shot
can prevent the flu, and may reduce the
risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
In fact, a study published in the
medical journal Stroke found that, among
a group of people hospitalized for various
reasons, those who experienced a flu-like
20 ● Cooperative Living ●
illness within a month of hospitalization
were 38% more likely to have a stroke.
Receiving the flu vaccine within a year
prior to hospitalization lowered the
risk 11%.
" Getting an annual flu shot should
be part of routine health care for all
individuals, especially for people who
are already living with chronic health
conditions that put them at higher
risk for heart attacks or strokes, " says
Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., American
Heart Association chief medical officer
for prevention.
" The potentially serious complications
of the flu are far greater for those
with chronic diseases. This is true not
just for older people but even those
age 50 and younger who have a history
of high blood pressure, heart disease
or diabetes. "
COVID-19
At the onset of the pandemic, the
American Heart Association established
the COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease
Registry, which found people with or
November-December 2022
between COVID-19 and cardiovascular
disease, " Sanchez says. " There is clear
evidence that people who have heart and
vascular disease and even those with
CVD risk factors are more likely to get
COVID and to have more severe
complications from the virus. "
OTHER IMMUNIZATIONS
While flu and COVID-19 vaccines
are of the utmost importance, other
immunizations can help keep people
heart-healthy.
* The pneumococcal vaccination
protects against a common cause of severe
pneumonia and is especially important
for people 65 and older, and others with
certain underlying medical conditions.
This type of pneumonia can be deadly,
especially for people already at high risk
for health complications, including CVD.
One shot is usually good for several years,
although you may need a second one later,
depending on your age at your first shot.
* Shingles, a viral infection caused by
the chickenpox virus, has been linked
to an increased risk of stroke. More
than 99% of people age 40 or older in
the United States may carry the dormant
chickenpox virus, also known as the
varicella-zoster virus, and not even
realize it. 
co-opliving.com
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living November/December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living November/December 2022
