CDC Article – Get a Flu Shot to Protect Your Heart and Your Health
Flu is still around. The flu virus can leave one feeling weak and unwell. I would have a harder time fighting off viruses that cause diseases. In fact, people with heart trouble are more likely to get the flu than people with any other long-term (chronic) illness. Here is how I have been dealing so far.
Heart Disease and the Flu
Viral infections like the flu would also put added stress on the heart patient’s body, which can affect the blood pressure, heart rate, and overall heart function (WebMD). These put people with heart disease at high risk of developing complications from the flu and cold. It is asserted that heart attacks, other cardiovascular event, which may lead to death, happen more often during or immediately after an acute inflammatory illness, such as flu (CDC). Therefore, for people like me with heart disease, it is very important to do all that we can to avoid getting the flu.
Being on the waiting list for a heart transplant, it is crucial not to catch the flu. For instance, doctors and surgeons would not proceed with the procedure if the recipient happen to have an an infection. Missing such an exceptional opportunity would be very unfortunate.
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Luckily, the flu is relatively easy to prevent. One can take simple steps now to avoid serious problems later on.
Trying to stay well and avoiding the flu
- In my case, I have to watch what I eat, drink enough fluid (2 litres per day), and rest well. As well, I have to keep an eye out for any changes in my LVAD numbers.
- Also, I’d stay home when I feel symptoms beginning. It is advised to stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine), except to get medical care.
- I look out for symptoms. Usually, my flu and colds would come with symptoms like irritated throat, coughs with or without flames, dehydration and dry mouth.
- I try to take everyday preventive and quick remediation actions. I regularly use nasal and throat sprays, along with lozenges and cough drops.
- Lastly, I keep in touch with my care team. The deal is that I would them call right away if I were to develop a fever (over 99.5F or 37.5C), chills, body aches, or worsening symptoms.
BWH Article – Five Reasons to Get Your Flu Shot
Get a  flu vaccine
Getting the flu vaccination is recommended for people with a chronic heart condition, including heart failure or congenital heart disease (BWH). My care team believes that a vaccination is a very important step in protecting me against the flu. As a result, they make sure that I get my shot as soon as possible in anticipation of the flu season.
It’s been a few months now since we’ve transitioned into winter. Thankfully, I have managed to avoid the cold and flu so far. The plan in place seems to be working fine. I hope you have been keeping warm and staying away from cold and flu.
What has been working for you? It would be good to read from you and perhaps, get some tips and suggestions from you.
Thanks for reading. -Bouba​
#heartofagiant #heartofalion, #heartofaneagle
#heartdisease #flu #cold #prevention #vaccination
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