Coming down with the flu, bronchitis or pneumonia can dramatically raise the risk of a heart attack -- up to 17-fold -- in the days and weeks following the infection, researchers said Monday. The findings confirm earlier research that pointed to an apparent link between respiratory infection and cardiac crises, scientists at the University of Sydney reported. “A respiratory infection can act as a trigger for a heart attack,” said senior author Professor Geoffrey Tofler. Seventeen percent of patients reported symptoms of respiratory infection within one week of the heart attack, and 21% within 31 days. “Possible reasons for why respiratory infection may trigger a heart attack include an increased tendency towards blood clotting, inflammation and toxins damaging blood vessels, and changes in blood flow,” said Tofler.

Source: Hindustan Times May 16, 2017 05:26 UTC