Flu shots: Especially important if you have heart disease

The flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs. It is a type of respiratory infection. Another name for the flu is influenza. It's caused by a virus. It spreads easily. That means it's contagious.

If you have heart disease, take steps to protect yourself against the flu. Complications from the flu are more likely in people with heart disease.

You can reduce your risk of flu and its complications by getting a yearly flu vaccine. Healthcare professionals have long recommended the vaccine for older adults and other people at high-risk, including those with heart disease.

Why are flu shots important for those with heart disease?

If you have heart disease, it's important to get a flu shot. People with heart disease are more likely to get complications from the flu such as:

• Pneumonia.
• Bronchitis.
• Lung failure.
• Heart attack.

Having the flu also can make heart failure, diabetes, asthma or other health conditions worse.

Healthcare professionals continue to study the benefits and risks of yearly flu vaccines among people with heart disease, including heart failure. Some studies show that getting a yearly flu shot lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death in those with heart disease. But more studies are needed.

Is the flu shot safe if I have heart disease?

Flu shots are safe for most people who have heart disease.

The nasal spray flu vaccine, called FluMist, isn't recommended for people with heart disease or who are 50 years and older. Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray flu vaccine is made with a live virus.

The flu shot is usually given in the upper arm. Some people get temporary side effects such as mild soreness at the injection site, muscle aches or low fever. You can't get the flu or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from a flu vaccine.

Check with your healthcare professional before getting a flu shot if:

• You have or think you have COVID-19.
• You had a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.
• You got Guillain-Barre syndrome after getting a flu shot.
• You have a fever.

You can still get a flu shot if you're allergic to eggs.

When should I get a flu shot?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that everyone age 6 months and older should get a yearly flu vaccine. Adults age 65 and older should get a high-dose flu vaccine, if available.

It's best to get a flu vaccine in September or October. However, if flu shots aren't yet available, you can still get a flu shot until January or sometimes later.

It's more important than ever to get a flu vaccine. A flu shot could reduce symptoms that might be confused with those caused by COVID-19. However, the flu vaccine does not prevent COVID-19.

If you live with or care for someone who has heart disease, get a yearly flu vaccine too. Doing so helps lower the risk of infection for you and those around you.

Do I have to get a flu shot from my cardiologist?

You don't have to get your flu shot from your heart doctor. The flu shot is available at most healthcare professional's offices, public health departments and some pharmacies. Call first to see if the flu vaccine is available and if you need an appointment.