Our study shows that winter viruses can cause a heart attack or stroke. This is another good reason to get flu or frames

Winter is here, along with chilly days and inevitable seasonal growth of respiratory viruses.

But this is not only sniffing that we have to worry about. Heart attacks and strikes tend to grow In the winter months.

IN new research We show one reason this week.

Our study shows that catching common respiratory viruses increases the miniature -term risk of heart attack or stroke. In other words, common viruses, such as those that cause flu and covid, can cause them.

Wait, viruses can cause heart attacks?

Traditional risk factors Such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise are the main causes of heart attacks and strokes.

And the indicators of heart attacks and strokes can raise in winter for many reasons. Factors such as low temperature, less physical activity, more time spent in the room – perhaps with Indoor air pollution – It can affect blood clotting and deteriorate the effects of established risk factors.

But our fresh discoveries are based these From other researchers who show how respiratory viruses can also be a trigger.

The theory is respiratory virus infections caused a heart attack or stroke, and not directly caused. If established risk factors resemble pouring the house in gasoline, the viral infection is like a match that ignites the flame.

For hearty, youthful people, a newer, well -told house rather not spontaneously. But the older and even abandoned house with a defective electric wiring needs only a spark that will lead to a flame.

People who are particularly vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke activated by the respiratory virus are people with more than one of these established risk factors, especially the elderly.

What we did and what we found

Our team carried out a meta -analysis (examination of existing tests) to see which breathing viruses play a role in causing heart attacks and strokes and the strength of the link. This meant a study of over 11,000 scientific articles covering 40 years of research.

In general, the flu virus and Sars-Cov-2 (Covid virus) were the main triggers.

If you catch the flu, we found that the risk of heart attack will raise almost 5.4 times and stroke 4.7 times compared to the lack of infection. The danger zone is miniature – in the first few days or weeks – and narrows over time after infection.

Covid catching can also cause heart attacks and impacts, but there was not enough research to say exactly what the increased risk is.

We have also found an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes with other viruses, including the respiratory sync of the respiratory (RSV), enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. But the links are not so forceful, probably because these viruses are less often detected or tested.

What’s going on?

Throughout our lives, our bodies wear out and tears, and the inner wall of our blood vessels becomes rugged. The lossy accumulation (tiles) easily stick to these rugged areas, inevitably accumulating and causing tight spaces.

In general, blood can still pass, and these accumulation does not cause problems. Think about how to cover the house in gasoline, but it has not yet got off.

So how does a viral infection work like a match to lithe a flame? Through the cascading inflammation process.

A high level of inflammation after viral infection can open the plate with a plate. The body activates blood clotting to fix a crack, but this clot can accidentally block the blood vessel, causing a heart attack or stroke.

Some studies have shown fragments Virus due to blood clots This causes heart attacks – further evidence to support our findings.

We do not know if younger people are also exposed to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke after respiratory infection.

This is because people in the analyzed research were almost always older adults with at least one of these established risk factors, so they were already defenseless.

The bad news is that in the end we will all be defenseless, just aging.

What can we do about it?

The triggers we identified can be mostly prevented by vaccination.

There is good evidence from Clinical examinations The flu vaccine can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if someone already has heart problems.

We are not exactly how it works. But the theory is that avoiding common infections or having less severe symptoms, reduces the chances inflammatory chain reaction.

Vaccinations can also indirectly against heart attacks and impact. But evidence still appears.

Heart attacks and strokes are Among the greatest killers of Australia. If vaccinations could assist reduce a petite part of people with a heart attack or stroke, it can bring significant benefits to their lives, community, our stressed healthcare system and the economy.

What should I do?

Threatened groups should be vaccinated against flu and covid. Pregnant women and people over 60 years of medical problems should receive RSV vaccination to reduce the risk of sedate illness.

So if you are older or you have predisposing diseases, check Australia National vaccination program To check if you qualify for a free vaccine.

For younger people, a hearty lifestyle with regular exercises and a balanced diet he will configure you for life. Consider checking your own Heart age (Measure of risk of heart disease), getting an annual flu vaccine and discuss Covid amplifiers from GP.