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Published: August 19, 2025
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In Psychology Today, Dr. Jay Varma explains that influenza vaccination isn’t just about avoiding fever and respiratory illness — it can also save your heart. Influenza infections trigger inflammation, clotting, and vascular stress that can precipitate heart attacks, particularly in people with cardiovascular disease. Randomized trials and meta-analyses now show flu vaccines reduce heart attack risk by 18–30 percent overall and cut mortality nearly in half for patients with existing heart disease. U.S. and European cardiology societies now recommend flu vaccination as routine secondary prevention, on par with statins and blood pressure medications.
Flu Season’s Overlooked Risk: Heart Attacks
Every fall, physicians urge patients to get their flu shots. While most people think only about avoiding cough, fever, and days in bed, Varma highlights a critical but less known benefit: preventing cardiovascular events. Infections like influenza can destabilize arterial plaques, raise clotting factors, infect vascular cells, and increase strain on the heart, all of which increase the likelihood of a heart attack.
Strong Evidence for Cardiovascular Protection
Varma points to robust data:
- Randomized clinical trials show that patients vaccinated shortly after a heart attack had a 28% lower risk of death or another cardiovascular event within a year.
- Meta-analyses demonstrate a 45% reduction in mortality among people with a history of heart disease who received flu vaccination.
- In the general population, flu shots reduce heart attack risk by 18–30%.
These numbers are comparable to — or greater than — the protective effects of mainstay cardiac medications. Unlike statins or antihypertensives, however, flu vaccination is a once-yearly intervention.
“Protecting your heart should now be considered an added incentive to get the flu vaccine, particularly for adults over 50 and those with cardiac risk factors.” —Dr. Jay Varma
Clinical and Public Health Recommendations
The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone over six months of age, with additional emphasis for older adults and people with cardiac risk factors. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology go further, endorsing annual flu shots as standard preventive care for anyone with coronary artery disease or vascular conditions. European guidelines now advise vaccination during hospitalization for acute heart events.
Bridging the Awareness Gap
Despite the strength of evidence, vaccination uptake remains far below optimal. Varma argues that too many people underestimate influenza or don’t realize the vaccine’s cardiovascular benefits. He frames flu vaccination as not just about avoiding infection, but about protecting against life-threatening complications.
📅 Publication Date & Outlet
August 19, 2025 | Psychology Today (Fevered Mind blog by Dr. Jay K. Varma)
