Heart Disease and the Flu
- Patients with chronic cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) are at increased risk of experiencing severe flu.
- People with heart disease who contract the flu should follow the following additional guidelines:
Maintain a two week supply of your medications.
Do not stop taking your medications without first consulting your health care provider, especially in the event of influenza or a respiratory infection.
People with heart failure should be alert to changes in their breathing and should promptly report changes to their health care provider.
More information on H1N1 and Heart Disease
- Health care providers should be aware that influenza might produce increased numbers of cardiovascular events, leading to increased hospitalizations and use of resources to treat acute coronary events, heart failure, and stroke.
- If you have heart disease and you develop flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider or seek medical care and follow these steps for all people with health conditions.
