Flu and Your Heart

If you've ever had influenza – commonly known as the flu – you know it can hit fast. For most people, the flu means a few days of feeling miserable, missing work or putting plans on hold.

But if you have heart disease or have had a stroke, the flu can be much more serious. The flu puts added pressure on your heart and can raise the risk of:

Pneumonia
Heart attack
Worsening heart failure
Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the lining of the heart (pericarditis)

In fact, many people with heart disease and other chronic health conditions die from the flu each year.

Getting a flu shot before each flu season is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your heart. It lowers your risk of getting sick, developing complications, or bring hospitalized with the flu.

Use this resource to learn more about flu shots and your heart health.

Did You Know? Compared with people who don’t have heart disease, those who do:
– Have a 10x higher risk of heart attack within 3 days of getting the flu
– Are more likely to have a heart attack even weeks after the flu
_{Source: National Foundation for Infection Diseases}

Featured Tools

Have Heart Disease? Take Steps to Avoid the Flu

Getting the flu can make you more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Get your flu vaccine. It’s the best way to avoid the flu and the heart troubles that can come with it.
Have Heart Disease? 7 Tips to Avoid the Flu and Stay Healthy

As this year's flu season kicks into high gear, take steps to protect yourself and those around you.
Keeping a vaccine record is important – even for adults

It's important for you to track the vaccines you need and when you need them. That's because vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from serious illness. Download the handout to learn more.
Stay on top of your vaccines

Use this worksheet to keep a record of your immunizations so you know which vaccines you’ve received and when – and others you might need.
How Flu Affects Your Heart: Why Getting a Flu Shot is Important

Many people don’t know that the flu can make a heart attack or stroke more likely. How? Watch the video to find out. You’ll also learn steps you can take to protect your heart. Remember to get your flu shot! It's the best way to avoid the flu and the heart-related troubles that can come with it.

show more tools

Last Edited 09/29/2025