Flu, COVID, and chronic viral infections significantly raise heart attack and stroke risk
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, has revealed that contracting influenza, COVID-19, or certain chronic viral infections can dramatically increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study reviewed 155 prior studies and analyzed both acute and long-term viral infections.
Findings showed that contracting the flu quadruples the risk of a heart attack and raises the risk of stroke fivefold within a month of infection. COVID-19 infection was linked to a threefold increase in the risk of heart attacks and strokes within 14 weeks, with elevated risk persisting for up to a year.
For chronic viral infections, including HIV, hepatitis C, and shingles, the study found that heart attack risk increased by up to 60 percent, while stroke risk rose by up to 45 percent compared to uninfected individuals.
Lead researcher Dr. Kosuke Kawai explained that while some viruses are known to cause cancer, the connection between viral infections and non-communicable diseases like heart disease has been less clear. The study shows that both acute and chronic viral infections are linked to short- and long-term cardiovascular risks.
Experts note that the immune system’s response to infection triggers widespread inflammation, which can increase the likelihood of blood clots and cardiac complications. Older adults were found to be particularly susceptible to these risks.
The researchers emphasize that the findings reinforce the importance of receiving COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, particularly as flu cases are expected to rise in the coming months amid fluctuating virus levels in communities.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study analyzed research from 1997 to 2024, including long-term chronic infections, highlighting the critical link between viral infections and cardiovascular health.
