Why are flu shots important for those with heart disease?

If you have heart disease, it's important to get a flu shot. People with heart disease are more likely to get complications from the flu such as:

• Pneumonia.
• Bronchitis.
• Lung failure.
• Heart attack.

Having the flu also can make heart failure, diabetes, asthma or other health conditions worse.

Healthcare professionals continue to study the benefits and risks of yearly flu vaccines among people with heart disease, including heart failure. Some studies show that getting a yearly flu shot lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death in those with heart disease. But more studies are needed.