Flu shot slashes heart deaths in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome
An updated meta-analysis also confirms influenza vaccination reduces major cardiovascular events in the general population
Seasonal influenza vaccination reduces cardiovascular events and can halve mortality in patients with a cardiac risk, according to the latest systematic review.
The meta-analysis of six randomised clinical trials included 9000 adults (mean age 65.5) who were randomised to receive influenza vaccination, placebo or a control vaccine and then followed for up to a year.
About half of the trial participants had a cardiac history, and 43% were female.
The researchers found that 3.6% of vaccinated patients developed a major cardiovascular event within 12 months compared with 5.4% who had received placebo or control.
