Flu Season Warning: How H3N2 Is Quietly Raising Heart Attack Risks
Right now, as the H3N2 strain of influenza spreads rapidly across Canada, doctors are urging people to stop thinking of the flu as “just a bad cold.” What’s being emphasized is that influenza can place serious stress on the body, and for some people, it can significantly raise the risk of a heart attack or even a stroke in the days and weeks after infection.
Medical experts explain that when the body fights any infection, including the flu, inflammatory chemicals are released into the bloodstream. This process is meant to help the immune system, but it also increases the tendency of blood to clot. That reaction can place sudden strain on the heart and blood vessels, sometimes triggering major cardiovascular events shortly after the illness has passed. It has been noted that these effects can happen quickly, often before someone feels fully recovered.
Also Read:- Boxing Day Stakes Rise as Saints Visit Oxford in Championship Clash
- Boxing Day Drama at the Kenny as Luton Town Face Wycombe Wanderers
Data from large medical studies shows how serious this risk can be. People are several times more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke in the month following a confirmed influenza infection, with the danger being highest in the first week. Doctors have described a clear pattern where heart attacks seem to cluster shortly after someone has had the flu, strongly suggesting that the infection itself acts as the trigger.
This warning comes at an especially risky time of year. Flu season overlaps with winter activities like shovelling snow, which is already known to strain the heart. When heavy physical exertion is combined with a recent flu infection, the risk can increase even further. Alcohol, large meals, and pushing through fatigue during the holidays have also been pointed out as added stressors that may raise the chances of a cardiovascular event.
Because of this, vaccinations are being strongly encouraged, particularly for older adults and people with existing heart conditions. Getting a flu shot has been described as one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of infection and the complications that can follow. Other protective steps, such as masking when sick, avoiding close contact during illness, and improving indoor air quality, are also being recommended.
For those who do get sick, caution is being advised during recovery. Rest is important, and strenuous tasks should be avoided if possible. Warning signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness, extreme fatigue, or facial drooping should never be ignored, especially in the days after a flu infection. Medical help should be sought immediately if these symptoms appear.
With flu cases and hospitalizations climbing across the country, the message from health professionals is clear: the flu is not harmless, and taking it seriously could save lives this winter.
Read More:
0 Comments