The flu shot may protect against more than just influenza. According to a new study, the jab also may nearly halve the risk of heart attacks [1] in middle aged people with narrowed arteries.


The Australian study, published in the journal Heart, [2] is not conclusive, however. As of now, those aged 50 to 64 are not routinely included in national flu vaccination programs in either the UK or Australia. But the findings have led researchers to believe that the age group may need to be included due to the negative impact cardiovascular disease has on this population.


"Even a small effect of influenza vaccination in preventing [heart attacks] may have significant population health gains," the researchers said in a press release.


For the study, researchers assessed 559 patients over the age of 40 who were hospitalized at some point from 2008 to 2010. Some 275 of these patients had suffered a heart attack while 284 had not.


Nose and throat swabs and blood samples taken at admission and four to six weeks later showed that around 12.4 percent of the heart attack patients had recently had a flu, compared with just under 7 percent in the comparison group. Half of all the patients had had the flu shot that year.


When factors such as age, high cholesterol and smoking were considered, having the flu did not increase the risk of heart attack. But vaccination against the infection did seem to be beneficial, cutting the risk of a heart attack by 45 percent.


Previous research suggests that flu and other infections might help cause blood to thicken or prompt an inflammatory response in arteries that are already diseased, thereby sparking the development of a blockage, the researchers said.


In the United States, health leaders have expressed hope that some 80 percent of the population [3] will be getting yearly shots by 2020. Yet a recent report by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota asserted flu shots provide only limited protection[4] for healthy young and middle-aged people, and almost no protection for those 65 and older.





Earlier on HuffPost50:




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  • Before Your Appointment


    Gathering your health information and getting organized before your appointment are the key steps to ensuring a productive meeting with your doctor. This is especially important if you're seeing multiple doctors or are meeting with a new physician for the first time.




  • Get Your Test Results


    Make sure the doctor you're seeing has copies of your latest X-ray, MRI or any other test or lab results, including reports from other doctors that you've seen. In most cases, you'll need to do the legwork yourself, which may only require a phone call to your previous doctor's administrative staff, asking for it to be sent, or you may need to go pick it up and bring it to the new office yourself.




  • List Your Medications


    Make a list of all the medications you're taking (prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements) along with the dosages, and take it with you to your appointment. Or, just gather up all your pill bottles in a bag and bring them with you.




  • Gather Your Health History


    Your doctor also needs to know about any previous hospitalizations, as well as any current or past medical problems, even if they are not the reason you are going to the doctor this time. Genetics matter too, so having your family's health history can be helpful. The U.S. Surgeon General offers a free web-based tool called <a href="http://familyhistory.hhs.gov" target="_hplink">"My Family Health Portrait"</a> that can help you put one together.




  • Prepare A List Of Questions


    Make a written list of the top three or four issues you want to discuss with your doctor. Since most appointments last between 10 and 15 minutes, this can help you stay on track and ensure you address your most pressing concerns first. If you're in for a diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms.




  • During Your Appointment


    The best advice when you meet with your doctor is to speak up. Don't wait to be asked. Be direct, honest and as specific as possible when recounting your symptoms or expressing your concerns. Many patients are reluctant or embarrassed to talk about their symptoms, which makes the doctor's job a lot harder to do. It's also a good idea to bring along a family member or friend to your appointment. They can help you ask questions, listen to what the doctor is telling you and give you support.