People with chronic conditions, including heart disease, are at high risk for influenza, and are strongly urged to get a flu shot every year. Flu causes a yearly average of 100,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths.

Persons at increased risk for complications include the following:

• persons aged >65 years
• residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions
• adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma
• adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency [HIV] virus)
• children and teenagers (aged 6 months--18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection
• women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season.

The incidence of flu peaks between January and March, and immunizations are widely available from now until the end of the year. Check with your healthcare provider about getting protection.

Related information About it - Guidelines for heart-healthy living

Sources:

• CDC. Prevention and Control of Influenza - Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). February 2001.
• CDC. Flu season 2001-02: Update - ACIP makes recommendations to address delays in flu vaccine delivery during the 2001-02 influenza season.