22/7/2009

Heart patients and swine flu

Following the announcement of a National Flu Service to help relieve pressure on the nation's health services, Judy O’Sullivan, cardiac nurse here at the British Heart Foundation, said:

"There is no evidence that people with heart disease are more likely to catch swine flu than the rest of the population. However, once they've got it, their risk of having an acute cardiac event may be increased.

"There is evidence that heart attacks tend to occur more commonly during, or immediately after, an acute inflammatory event such as flu.  Because of this, there could be an increase in the numbers or patients admitted with heart attacks during a flu epidemic.

"Heart patients who might be at increased risk of complications if they catch flu are those with chronic impairment, such as people with heart failure, or those with complex congenital heart disease who would be less able to cope with congestion on the lungs.

"These patients should seek help at the first signs of flu to receive antiviral drugs and to have their heart condition assessed."