Study Shows Flu Shot May Help Cut Heart Attack Risk

If you need another reason to get your flu shot, here's one: it could lower your risk of a heart attack.

A new study released by Canadian researchers shows it cut down your risk of stroke, too

University of Toronto researchers used 3,000 people in their study. They found those who got their flu shot saw a huge difference in their risk for heart problems compared to those who didn't.

And by huge I mean, the flu shot group was 50 percent less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, and 40 percent less likely to die from one, than those who weren't vaccinated.

The average age of study participants was 60 years old. Some of them had previous cardiovascular problems, but others didn't. Regardless of if they had pre-existing conditions or not, the flu vaccine group was still much less likely to have heart attacks or strokes.

The lead professor of the study, Doctor Jacob Udell of the University of Toronto, suggested that "maybe the flu vaccine is a heart vaccine."

As for the reason why the flu shot seemed to help heart trouble, researchers aren't sure. They think it could replenish oxygen levels that the flu takes away, or even break up plaque in arteries.

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