Swine Flu and Heart Disease update June 17th 2009

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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.