Influenza infection and risk of myocardial infarction: the protective effect of influenza vaccination. One more reason to vaccinate

Abstract

Influenza infection, although considered a relatively benign pathology, is associated with a high number of hospital admissions and significant mortality, especially for the most vulnerable subjects. There is a great deal of evidence regarding the existence of an association between influenza and occurrence of cardiovascular events. Influenza vaccination by reducing the transmission of infection aims to reduce its complications, including cardiovascular events. The available studies have confirmed the safety of influenza vaccination in patients at high cardiovascular risk, even if performed during acute coronary syndrome hospitalization, and its efficacy in reducing coronary events. The cardiac benefit of influenza vaccination has been acknowledged by the cardiological scientific societies in the drafting of guidelines for both stable coronary artery disease and heart failure.