Pneumonia Vaccine Could Save You From a Heart Attack
October 9, 2008 7:56 AM CT
A new Canadian study indicates that having a pneumonia vaccination halves your risk of having a heart attack two years later.
Read about the study: Pneumonia Vaccine Lowers Chances of Heart Attack
In recent years we have been focusing more on inflammation as a source of heart attacks. Since pneumonia increases the inflammation of coronary arteries, it is believed that pneumonia can lead to heart attacks. This new study would seem to corroborate that
The recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is that everyone 65 or older, and those with heart disease, should have the pneumonia vaccine. Since the majority of those with afib have underlying heart disease, and many with lone afib may in fact have undiscovered or undiagnosed heart disease, this would seem to be applicable to most with atrial fibrillation.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget that it is flu shot season, too.