This is an automatically translated article.
The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor La Thi Thuy - Interventional Cardiologist - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.People with cardiovascular disease are many times more likely to be hospitalized due to exacerbations on the background of a pre-existing chronic illness associated with influenza. The weather is gradually turning to winter, the air is gradually getting colder than when the flu season is approaching.
1. What is the flu?
Influenza is a fairly common infectious disease. A perfectly healthy adult is at risk of getting the flu at least several times a year. Influenza is caused by a respiratory virus that is present anywhere in the air. When a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets containing the virus are spread into the air and these droplets are then inhaled by others nearby, causing the flu.
Alternatively, these droplets can land on nearby surfaces where the virus can live for several hours. So, a person can also get the flu by accidentally touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
In the case of a history of cardiovascular disease, the person will have a higher risk of getting the flu and also a high chance of complications, even more severe when suffering from this disease.
Doctors often recommend flu vaccination especially in older patients and in high-risk groups including cardiovascular disease
If you live with or have to care for a heart patient, you should also: flu shot.
2. How does the flu affect people with heart disease?
Influenza viruses when present in the body will trigger inflammatory responses and the body must regulate against the flu. In other words, this agent will add unnecessary stress to the body, manifested by increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and increased risk of heart attack or stroke. A recent study found that people with cardiovascular disease were six times more likely to have a heart attack, or to have a heart attack, within a week of contracting the flu.
What's more, getting sick with the flu can suddenly make symptoms of a stable heart condition worse. In elderly subjects, seasonal influenza should be considered as a trigger for paroxysmal episodes of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, which can lead to acute heart failure, so that heart rate control is not prompt.
In addition, people with heart disease who get the flu are also more likely to develop severe flu complications such as pneumonia or respiratory failure.
Người bệnh tim bị cúm có nhiều khả năng tiến triển đến các biến chứng nặng của cúm như viêm phổi hoặc suy hô hấp.
3. What are the symptoms of the flu?
Influenza can cause cardiovascular disease in particular and the general population in general to experience any or all of the following symptoms:
Fever Muscle aches Headache Fatigue, sluggishness Cough Sore throat Runny nose Fever and body aches can last three to five days. However, the cough and feeling of fatigue and loss of strength can last up to two weeks or more.
In addition, it is also important to note the difference between a cold and the flu as the two are often confused when they are two completely different conditions. The common cold only affects the nose, throat, and upper chest. In contrast, the flu affects the entire body and lasts a week or more. What's more, influenza can lead to serious complications that require hospitalization, especially in the elderly, infants and young children, or with other chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease. .
4. Warning signs that require hospitalization
Because people with cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of acute cardiovascular events with influenza, these subjects should be closely monitored and hospitalized immediately if the person with heart disease with influenza has the following symptoms:
Fever elevated but not lowered with conventional antipyretics. Chills or chills feeling Short of breath or chest pain Cyanosis or cyanosis of lips, skin, fingers or toes. Tachypnea Tachycardia Tachycardia Increased blood pressure that is difficult to control with daily medication Low blood pressure or hypotension Convulsions Drowsy, sluggish consciousness Timely admission to the hospital will help people with cardiovascular disease Monitor, provide necessary medical support, prevent or promptly respond to acute cardiovascular events. Also, it's important to let your doctor know what cold and flu medicines you're taking, as some can raise blood pressure or interact with heart medications in general.
In short, seasonal flu is a simple disease, easy to catch and also easy to overcome. However, in people with heart disease who have the flu, symptoms can become more severe and lead to dangerous complications. Accordingly, it is necessary to take initiative in disease prevention to reduce the risk of influenza but also to ensure a stable quality of life at the best level for patients with chronic cardiovascular disease.
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