Annual flu shot can greatly reduce risk of stroke in adults, Canadian researchers say
Getting the flu shot can significantly reduce the chances of having a stroke, according to a new Canadian study.
"We found that those individuals actually had a lower risk of stroke than individuals who didn't receive a flu shot or at other times of the year outside of that six-month-post window," said Dr. Jessalyn Holodinsky, the study's first author and a post doctoral fellow at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine.
In a research paper published Wednesday in the medical journal The Lancet Public Health, the team examined the health of more than four million adult Albertans of all ages and health backgrounds over a 10-year span.
"That's over four million people - and it's actually over 30 million person years of follow up when you're following that many people for that length of time, so it was a lot of data we had to work with," Dr. Holodinsky said.
The research uses by far the largest data set applied to the relationship between influenza vaccination and cardiovascular health researchers say, and while the link to stroke is new, it also supports previous studies that looked at heart attack risk.
It also sheds further light on a phenomenon long observed in hospitals.
"(When there is a) peak of influenza in the community, about three or four weeks later we get a peak of stroke admitted to hospital," said Dr. Michael Hill, one of the study's co-authors. "So there's a relationship between upper respiratory infections and vascular events like ischemic-stroke."
The research did not specifically examine why getting immunized against the flu significantly lowered the risk of stroke across ages and health histories, but the working hypothesis is that fewer flu cases means less stroke risk. In this understanding, vaccination is simply the reason for the reduced cases.
Roughly 30 per cent of people get the flu shot each year in Alberta, while roughly 3,300 Albertans suffer a stroke each year according to data published by AHS.
While more research is needed, the study's authors believe getting a flu shot may one day be a recognized pillar of cardiovascular health advice, along with good diet, exercise and not smoking.
"Interestingly, there's a cost benefit associated with that - if you vaccinate working age adults, the economy benefits. Because more people are at work. And they're not sick," Dr. Hill said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.