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Posted on Sep 29, 2009, 6 a.m.
In that influenza stresses the cardiovascular system, the chances of having a heart attack may increase in those with the flu.
Andrew C. Hayward, from UCL Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Royal Free Hospital (London, United Kingdom), and colleagues completed a meta-analysis of data from 39 randomized controlled trials conducted between 1932 and 2008. The researchers found that the studies showed an increase in deaths from heart disease and more heart attacks during influenza season, with excess deaths as a result of heart disease averaging 35 to 50%.
Charlotte Warren-Gash, Liam Smeeth, Andrew C Hayward. “Influenza as a trigger for acute myocardial infarction or death from cardiovascular disease: a systematic review.” The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Volume 9, Issue 10, Pages 601 - 610, October 2009; doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(09)70233-6.
