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PRINTABLE
VERSION
WHAT
IS THE FLU?
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a highly contagious and potentially
deadly infection that affects up to 20 percent of the total U.S. population
each flu season. In past years, flu has caused about 36,000 deaths and
more than 200,000 hospitalizations annually. Most of these deaths occurred
in people 65
years of age and older. The flu is easily passed from one person to another
through the air by droplets released when an infected individual coughs
or sneezes, but may also be spread by direct contact with influenza virus-contaminated
surface.
HOW
DOES THE FLU AFFECT THE HEART?
Flu-related death is more common among individuals with heart disease
than among patients with any other chronic medical condition. The American
Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommend
that the more than 12 million persons in the United States with heart
conditions get annual flu shots. However, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just one in three adults with heart
disease received the flu vaccine in 2005. Therefore, Mended Hearts joins
the AHA and ACC in urging those at an increased risk for serious flu-related
complications - including all people living with heart disease - to get
a flu shot each and every year.
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DID
YOU KNOW?
- The flu
can exacerbate heart disease conditions and can lead to conditions
like viral or bacterial pneumonia that cause complications of
heart disease.
- In 2005,
only one in three adults with heart disease received a flu shot,
which falls short of the national goal to vaccinate more than
60 percent of people less than 65 years of age and more than 90
percent of people 65 and older.
- A recent
observational study found that the flu may trigger up to 92,000
cardiac deaths per year nationwide.
- Flu shots
can reduce hospitalization length, medical costs and work absenteeism,
making them a cost-saving treatment option.
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Mended
Hearts Inc., received funding and other support from
GlaxoSmithKline for the I Heart Flu Shots™ initiative.
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