Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Improvement of a Closed Chest Porcine Myocardial Infarction Model by Standardization of Tissue and Blood Sampling Procedures
Published on: March 12, 2018
Myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden cardiac death may be prevented by influenza vaccination
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160-7378, USA. dmeyers@kumc.edu
Insights
Influenza vaccination may significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. This safe vaccine, with 50% efficacy, could prevent over 100,000 heart attacks and 190,000 strokes annually.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and atherothrombotic stroke share common causes like plaque disruption and thrombosis.
- Both conditions, along with upper respiratory infections (URIs) including influenza, peak in winter.
- URIs can trigger biochemical and hemostatic changes predisposing to cardiovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the link between URIs, particularly influenza, and the incidence of AMI and stroke.
- To evaluate the potential protective effect of influenza vaccination against these cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data and clinical trial findings.
- Analysis of the association between influenza vaccination and the incidence of sudden cardiac death, AMI, and ischemic stroke.
Main Results:
- Influenza vaccination is associated with a 50% reduction in the incidence of sudden cardiac death, AMI, and ischemic stroke.
- Influenza vaccines are safe and have an estimated 50% efficacy.
- Theoretical potential exists to prevent substantial numbers of AMI and stroke cases annually through vaccination.
Conclusions:
- Influenza vaccination represents a viable preventive strategy for reducing the burden of AMI and ischemic stroke.
- Widespread influenza vaccination could lead to significant public health benefits by preventing cardiovascular events.
Abstract:
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and atherothrombotic stroke share a common pathogenesis involving disrupted atherosclerotic plaque and intravascular thrombosis. Both AMI and stroke have their peak incidence in winter months. Similarly, the incidence of upper respiratory infections (URIs), 38% of which are due to influenza, also peaks in winter (November and December). URIs result in many biochemical, cellular, and hemostatic changes that could predispose to plaque disruption and thrombosis. Infections, particularly URIs, frequently precede AMI and stroke. Up to 16% of persons older than 60 years of age experience a URI each year. Nineteen percent of those suffering an AMI recall a URI in the 2 weeks prior to their event. Three epidemiologic and one small clinical trial suggest that influenza vaccination is associated with a 50% reduction in incidence of sudden cardiac death, AMI, and ischemic stroke. Influenza vaccine is extremely safe and has a 50% efficacy. Theoretically, up to 104,500 AMIs and 192,000 nonembolic ischemic strokes could be prevented each year by influenza vaccination.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Myocarditis III: Medical Management
01:28Diphtheria
01:51Vaccinations
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:26Angina IV: Management
01:27Influenza