Cold and Flu Season Arrives, Health Experts Urge Prevention as New Study Links Viral Infections to Heart Risks

Washington, D.C. (KFMO) - As temperatures drop, health officials are reminding residents to take steps to protect themselves during cold and flu season.

Dr. Neha Venus with the Cleveland Clinic says a few simple precautions can help reduce the spread of illness during the fall and winter months.

She advises checking with a primary care provider about recommended vaccines and taking basic hygiene steps such as covering coughs with a mask, turning your head away, or coughing into your sleeve.

Meanwhile, new research is offering more evidence that viral infections can have lasting effects on heart health. An analysis of more than 150 medical studies found that infections like the flu, COVID-19, and shingles can significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the findings, a person’s risk of heart attack is four times higher in the month after a flu infection, and the risk of stroke is five times higher. The elevated risk can remain for years after the initial illness.

The study appears in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers say the results underscore the importance of preventive care, including getting vaccinated for the flu and COVID, especially for those with existing health conditions.