A new study finds that having coronavirus or the flu can increase your chance of having a heart attack.
Risk of a heart attack significantly increases when a person contracts the flu or a flu like illness, that includes covid.
News 12's joeli poole spoke with a doctor to find out why.
If the coronavirus pandemic hasn't given us enough reason to get a flu shot this winter, perhaps a new study by the american heart association will.
According to the aha, being infected with influenza or another flu like illness significantly increases your chance of having a heart attack.
Maruice alston "basically within the first seven days of having the flu there were increased rates of heart attacks.
Anytime we have a fever, our heart rate goes up.
That can stress the heart.
Imagine if the heart is having to pump harder and work harder, it will therefore lead to stress to the heart."
Joeli poole "doctors encourage everyone to get a flu shot but say that it is especially important for those that are considered part of the vulnerable population such as: persons in underserved communities and those with high cholesterol, obesity or diabetes, in addition, health officials say that not only influenza, but the coronavirus can increase your risk for a cardiac event.
Alston "research has shown that since we have studied covid-19 there has been an increased rate of heart attacks/strokes.
It leads to a lot of inflammation in the body and makes patients hypercoagulabl e.
Covid-19 definitely leads to more heart disease and heart conditions, including heart attacks."
On the upside, doctor alston with parkridge medical center says that along with getting the influenza vaccine- mask wearing and social distancing may decrease the spread of the flu and other viruses this season.
In chattanooga, joeli poole, news 12 now.
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