Flu and Heart Attack Connection

Not everyone who undergoes a bout of the flu will experience a heart attack but heart patients do face an increased risk. This is important need to know info for all heart patients, because we all are at risk for the flu.

Did you know that those flu symptoms could sometimes proceed at heart attack? Webmd states that according to research that the flu could make deaths from heart attacks more possible. The Texas heart association also did some research and that research shows the same thing, heart attacks occur more commonly after a bout with the flu. Thirty five percent of all heart attacks are preceded by a bout of the flu, according to the heart disease symposium research discussed on about.com's website.

Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can empower you to save your life or the life of someone you love. I think it's very important for you to know the signs and symptoms so you can act quickly in the event of a heart attack emergency.

This is why if you have heart disease it is even more important for you to get that flu vaccination every flu season. Even for those of us who do not know that we have heart disease it is important to get the flu shot. You see I had flu symptoms that preceded my heart attacks, and I did not know I had heart disease.

I experienced two bouts of a flu bug in September 2009, and I had my first heart attack on October 1. My second and third heart attacks occurred on October 4, 2009. It was a rough 6 weeks, but when my heart attack symptoms began I did not totally panic.

Luckily, I knew the symptoms of heart attacks, as it was a part of my training as a certified nurse's aide. That knowledge along with my family is what saved me but sometimes a heart attack comes on super quickly so having the knowledge is the difference between life and death. A few days ago, my boyfriend experienced his second heart attack after a bout of the flu.

I began to do my research in the heart attack and flu connection in earnest. Apparently, due to illness of the flu inflects on a human body; it makes coronary patients more susceptible to an attack. Having a flu shot will prevent the illness, but not everyone gets a shot.

When a coronary patient has any type of illness where they are vomiting, they need to drink fruit juices and water to keep dehydrated. Drink more than usual if you experience diarrhea with the vomiting. If the symptoms last more than a day seek medical help, and do not wait for the illness to run its course.

Being ill will deplete your body of the nutrients it needs to run properly, it's essential to replace those nutrients. Do not allow the illness to run its course because being dehydrated will make a heart attack more likely. Take it easy a few days after the flu symptoms end to let your body rest.

Resources:

Texas Heart Association article

Web MD article

Heart Disease article about About.com

My story heart attack first person experience