Influenza virus causes angina pectoris, experts remind: Patients with cardiovascular disease should be vigilant!

Influenza has been prevalent recently, and Grandma Tan, who lives in Changsha, accidentally got infected. At first, she thought it was a common cold and didn't take it seriously. In the following days, she began to cough frequently, and felt chest tightness and shortness of breath when she moved a little, accompanied by general fatigue and loss of appetite. Since she had a history of cardiovascular disease for many years, her family quickly sent her to the outpatient clinic of the Third District of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Provincial Brain Hospital) .

After receiving the patient, Director Xing Zuzhong determined that she had a respiratory infection that induced angina pectoris and heart failure, and admitted her to the hospital for further treatment. After admission, the nucleic acid test for upper respiratory tract pathogens showed positive for influenza A, and the CT scan showed lung inflammation and pleural effusion. The inflammation and heart failure indicators were both high. After anti-heart failure and anti-infection treatments, Grandma Tan's condition improved and she was discharged from the hospital.

Director Xing Zuzhong introduced: Influenza is a Class C infectious disease caused by influenza virus, which is mainly transmitted through droplets, such as sneezing and coughing. Its main symptoms include high fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain, and respiratory symptoms are relatively mild.

The antigenic variation of influenza virus makes it highly contagious and the general population is susceptible, especially children, the elderly and people with underlying diseases. Influenza not only affects people's daily lives, but can also cause serious damage to the cardiovascular system.

The influenza virus can directly attack the heart and cause viral myocarditis. Viral myocarditis is a disease in which the myocardial tissue becomes inflamed due to viral invasion. It can cause a decline in heart function and even be life-threatening in severe cases. In addition, influenza may also promote the occurrence of coronary artery sclerosis.

Coronary artery sclerosis is an important cause of cardiovascular disease. It can cause coronary artery stenosis, affect the blood supply to the myocardium, and thus increase the risk of diseases such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.

For people who already have cardiovascular disease, influenza can be a huge threat. Influenza can trigger a chain reaction in the body, leading to the aggravation and deterioration of potential or existing cardiovascular disease. For example, influenza may induce the occurrence and aggravation of heart failure, make it difficult to control blood pressure fluctuations in patients with hypertension, and increase the incidence of serious cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction in patients with coronary heart disease. Studies have confirmed that the incidence of cardiovascular risk events increases by 3.8 times and the mortality rate increases by nearly 10 times within 3 months after influenza.

Director Xing Zuzhong reminded that given the serious threat that influenza poses to cardiovascular health, preventive measures are particularly important.

First of all, influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza virus infection and its serious complications . Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are advised to get the influenza vaccine before the flu season arrives each year, which can effectively reduce all-cause mortality and influenza season hospitalization rate within the one-year protection period.

Secondly, maintaining good living habits is also an important measure to prevent influenza, including adequate sleep, a proper diet, proper exercise and avoiding overwork . If unfortunately infected with influenza, patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases need to pay special attention to getting enough rest and avoiding overwork. At the same time, it is also crucial to seek medical treatment in time and follow the doctor's advice for treatment.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Shi Jingqing, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital)

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(Edited by Wx)