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We’re continuing our coverage of the worldwide progression of the swine flu influenza virus because it has special implications for any of our readers who are suffering from cardiovascular or other types of heart diseases. For earlier articles please see :-

swine flu and heart disease update April 30th 2009

With the news from a couple of days ago, of the first UK death from the swine flu virus (a female patient who died in the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley, Scotland), comes a warning from medical authorities around the globe of concerns that the spread of the virus may explode during the flu season of the autumn and winter of 2009.

This was the first death from the disease outside the American continent, and only serves to reinforce the potentially deadly nature of this influenza pandemic, although news coverage of the swine flu outbreak has tailed off recently as many of the reported cases have been relatively mild in nature.

However, there is a possibility that the H1N1 swine flu influenza strain could mutate into a far most virulent, and possibily extremely deadly strain for groups of people normally affected by the traditional ‘seasonal flu’ such as the sick, the elderly and very young children.

What you need to know about swine flu if you have heart disease

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, people who are suffering from chronic cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) are more likely experience severe worsening of their condition if they do contract the influenza virus.

The CDC is also warning US health care providers of the likelihood of increased instances of swine flu related ‘cardiovascular events’ which translates into heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.

Special swine flu information for heart disease and stroke patients

If you have an existing heart condition it is far better to avoid getting the virus, rather than trying to deal with the additional stress that contracting the illness places on your body.

One of the most effective methods of prevention is frequent hand washing with soap and water to prevent exposure to the virus from contaminated surfaces that is subsequently introduced to the body through the mouth or nose, or by rubbing the eyes.

As a precaution you should keep two weeks supply of your heart disease medications whilst the swine flu pandemic is still ongoing.

If you develop ANY flu like symptoms you should ensure that you keep taking your medications unless your doctor advises you differently.

People with heart failure should be alert to changes in their breathing and should promptly report changes to their health care provider.

Finally, it should be remembered that the ‘normal’ seasonal influenza virus kills thousands of vulnerable people around the world every year, so this advice still applies even after the swine flu pandemic has finished.

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What is a polypill ?

A polypill is a way of combining a group of drugs that are then presented in a single capsule or tablet, and contains a number of targeted active ingredients. When taken together these have a beneficial effect on the specific medical condition, whilst reducing the number of different individual medicines to be taken.

This technique has been applied to heart disease medicines recently, resulting in a single heart disease ‘super-pill’ which has been named ‘Polycap’. A recent study by McMaster University in Ontario, Canada has shown that taking this medicine could significantly cut the risk of heart attack and stroke in the study group of volunteers aged over 50 years.

What does the Polycap pill contain ?

The pills contain a total of five different types of popular different types of heart disease medications:-

• Diuretic – helps to lower blood pressure by eliminating sodium from the body by increasing urination
• Ace Inhibitor – this class of medicine reduces the levels of a type of enzyme that has been shown to increase blood pressure levels
• Beta Blocker – used to treat high blood pressure by making the heart beat more slowly, and reducing strain on the heart
• Statin – to lower levels of LDL, or ‘bad’ blood cholesterol and prevent the build up of fatty plaques on the arterial walls
• Aspirin – proven to have a thinning effect on the blood, and an effective anti-clotting drug

What benefits does the Polycap pill offer to the heart disease patient ?

The main benefits of this new combined pill are likely to be experienced by middle aged people, and are listed below :-

• Lower blood pressure
• Lower levels of harmful cholesterol (LDL)
• Reduced risk of blood clotting that can result in stroke
• Lower heart rate
• A Single pill is easier to take than multiple pills or tablets, and less prone to missed or mis-dosage

The predicted overall effect of the reduction in all the above risk factors leads the experts to conclude that the polypill will cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 50 percent.

How much does the heart polypill cost ?

This combined heart disease medication could be very cost effective, at less than two dollars a day per person. Applying some simple economics to the heart disease statistics – in the United Kingdom the cost of high blood pressure and heart attacks is calculated to be 21 billion dollars annually. If this medication was made available to the millions of people in the ‘at-risk’ group for heart disease, the cost would be approximately 9 billion dollars.

When can I get a prescription for the polypill ?

This medicine is likely to be available to everyone within five years, following essential widespread clinical trials to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drugs when used in combination.

We’re monitoring the state of the latest influenza pandemic alert – swine flu, as it has special implications for our readers, and anyone else who suffers from a compromised immune system due to high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.

It’s only just over a week since news about an imminent deadly influenza pandemic due to the swine flu influenza virus that originated in Mexico, hit the news headlines around the world.

Relatively few deaths worldwide to date from influenza pandemic 

However, if we study the global influenza map, it is now apparent that there have been relatively few deaths around the world due to this new strain of influenza bacteria, and there have been no deaths yet in the the UK, possibly due to the very strict isolation of all suspected cases, and the use of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

To date there have been 30 deaths and almost 1500 cases worldwide, and in the UK there are now 28 confirmed cases with a further 330 potential cases under investigation.

However, the UK government Chief Medical Officer – Sir Liam Donaldson has warned the public not to become complacent about swine flu, and has stated that it is too early to confirm that the virus is just a mild version compared to previous influenza viruses. As we predicted on April 30th the UK government has now begun distributing leaflets about swine flu to every UK household, giving advice and information on influenza, and influenza prevention – how to prevent infection from the virus.

Are we over-reacting to swine flu or are we complacent about the threat ?

Well, the UK has adopted a dual strategy to combat the replication of the influenza virus from person to person by implementing a physical and a pharmaceutical barrier, through isolation of suspected cases, and use of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu, which is one of very few influenza vaccines available.

The main concern is that if this influenza virus were to mutate, or combine in a new way with existing human influenza or avian flu strains, then it may return later in 2009 with a far more virulent and deadly strain that could become resistant to all existing anti-viral drugs.

In the meantime, medical authorities in several different countries are racing against the clock to find out more about this new strain of the influenza virus in the hope of developing a vaccine before a potential explosion of cases during the next flu season in the winter of 2009.

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Following our previous article on ‘swine flu, influenza and heart disease‘, we’ve decided to closely monitor and track the global progression of the swine flu virus, and inform you regularly of the relevant facts and breaking news. This is because this disease has special relevance for many of our readers who are heart disease patients, or any other individuals who have a suppressed immune system as a result of a heart related complaint. Because any kind of heart disease carries a greater risk of dying from any type of influenza it is extremely important to monitor the facts, and know how best to avoid contracting the illness.

Known facts about the flu outbreak as of April 30th 2009

The situation regarding the 2009 influenza outbreak is changing rapidly, so With so much information and speculation flying around we’re going to summarise the main known facts :

• The World Health Organisation have upgraded the pandemic status of this disease from 4 to 5, on a scale of 6
• This means that a worldwide spread of the disease (or pandemic) is now imminent and cannot be stopped by any form of border controls or other human intervention. Level 6 means that the pandemic is established
• There have been 109 confirmed cases of the illness in the United States, and 8 cases in the United Kingdom to date. Almost all the deaths from the flu so far have occurred in Mexico
• There is no vaccination available anywhere in the world against the swine flu, because it is a brand new strain – no one can at present obtain immunity
• The United Kingdom Government have announced their intention to leaflet more than 30 million homes, with information and advice titled ‘important information about swine flu’

UK Government to leaflet over 30 million homes with Swine Flu information leaflet

We’ve had an advanced look at the 11 page information booklet to be deliverd by the UK government into every UK home. Here is a summary of their advice to us citizens :

• Title page with information, help line phone number + 44 800 1 513 513
• Page 2 – A page of useful health agency and government contacts
• Page 3 – An explanation of what the leaflet is about
• Page 4 – A description of the swine flu and warnings of no immunity to the virus being possible
• Page 5 – A summary of how the virus spreads
• Page 6 – A statement of the preparedness of the UK government, and their stockpiles of anti-viral drugs
• Page 7 – Statement that no vaccination is currently available
• Page 8 – Hygiene advice to prevent infection
• Page 9 – Flu Symptoms and instruction not to attend the Doctors surgery, but telephone for advice
• Page 10 – Statement about face masks being ineffective
• Page 11 – Instruction to use facial tissues, ensure safe disposal and wash hands

Perhaps the most surprising information from the leaflet is that the official government information is telling us that wearing a facial mask provides no protection against catching the virus. The TV footage from the affected areas in Mexico shows medical and government workers all wearing face masks for protection.

We’ll be tracking this story constantly and publishing regular updates for the benefit of our heart health conscious readers. If you wish to subscribe to our RSS feed, you can have any updates delivered automatically to your web browser.