Doctor Ha Manh Cuong, Medical Manager of VNVC Vaccination System, explains that a heart attack occurs when a coronary artery is suddenly blocked, leading to a lack of blood supply to the heart. This is a dangerous condition with a high mortality rate and a growing trend among younger individuals.

Risk factors for heart attacks include genetics, underlying conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. In addition, influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, and shingles can also increase the risk.

Influenza and pneumococcal bacteria are two common respiratory pathogens, with pneumonia being a frequent complication. Pneumococcal bacteria can invade the body during influenza, causing secondary infections and affecting various organs. This can lead to blood clotting disorders and stimulate the release of inflammatory molecules. Simultaneously, plaque in blood vessels can rupture, causing blockage in the coronary arteries and leading to a heart attack.

Heart attacks have a high mortality rate and are increasingly affecting younger individuals. Illustration: Vecteezy

A 2016 study published in the US National Library of Medicine showed that 206 out of 591 patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia experienced cardiovascular events up to 10 years later. Among them, 50.5% suffered heart attacks. A 2024 study by Dutch experts, based on the records of over 23,400 patients hospitalized with severe influenza from 2008 to 2019, showed a six-fold increase in the risk of heart attack during the first week of illness.

For individuals with shingles, several studies show that Varicella-zoster virus infection increases the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular events. The virus causes vascular damage, forming blood clots that can block blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack. Fever and infection associated with shingles also increase heart rate and reduce coronary artery blood flow, potentially leading to ischemia.

Therefore, preventing these diseases indirectly reduces the incidence of heart attacks. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites a 2023 study indicating that influenza vaccination reduces the risk of heart attack by 26% and heart disease-related deaths by 33%. Australian scientists estimate that influenza vaccines prevent 15-45% of heart attacks.

Regarding pneumococcal bacteria, a 2020 article by Charalambos V. Vlachopoulos and colleagues, published in Oxford Academic, reported that individuals vaccinated against pneumococcal disease had a 14% lower risk of cardiovascular events and an 8% lower risk of death compared to unvaccinated individuals.

Customers undergoing screening before receiving influenza vaccinations at the VNVC Vaccination Center. Photo: Hoang Duong

People should get an annual influenza vaccination. Current influenza vaccines protect against common virus strains, including A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and influenza B.

There are four types of pneumococcal vaccines: 10-valent, 13-valent, 15-valent, 20-valent, and 23-valent. Doctors recommend the appropriate vaccine based on age and vaccination history.

Varicella-zoster virus can cause chickenpox and shingles. Individuals should be vaccinated against both diseases if they have never been vaccinated or had chickenpox.

There are three types of chickenpox vaccines: one from Belgium for children from 9 months old and adults, and others from the US and South Korea for children from 12 months old and adults. Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine provide up to 98% protection.

Similarly, the Shingrix shingles vaccine (Belgium) is up to 97% effective. People 50 and older should receive two doses, two months apart. People 18 and older at high risk of shingles should receive two doses, one month apart.

In addition to vaccination, Dr. Cuong advises a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, regular exercise, stress management, and sufficient sleep to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease.

Dinh Hue