Flu season is approaching – and most people know that the flu vaccine protects against serious illness. However, less attention is paid to the fact that the flu vaccine also reduces the risk of heart attacks. Cardiologists at the German Heart Centre at Charité (DHZC) therefore advise people with heart disease in particular to get vaccinated.
‘A flu vaccination is part of heart attack prevention,’ says cardiologist Prof. Ulf Landmesser, Deputy Medical Director of the DHZC: ‘This is now very well documented – but still underestimated.’
How infections can cause strain on the heart
When infected with influenza, the body responds with a strong immune response. This causes inflammatory processes that affect not only the respiratory tract, but also the heart and blood vessels. This stress can cause deposits in the vessels to break loose or blood clots to form – typical triggers for heart attacks and strokes. The influenza vaccination reduces the likelihood of these reactions occurring.
‘A vaccination provides two-fold protection: it prevents infection and it prevents these inflammatory reactions from occurring in the first place,’ says Prof. Bettina Heidecker, cardiologist and specialist in heart muscle diseases at the DHZC.
Joint European recommendation – co-authored in Berlin
Prof. Heidecker is the lead author of a consensus paper published in the European Heart Journal. This joint statement by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and other professional associations brings together the results of large data sets, clinical studies and mechanistic investigations. They consistently show that vaccinations can provide measurable protection against cardiovascular complications. The 15-member team of authors also includes Prof. Ulf Landmesser and Prof. Felix Schönrath, Senior Consultant for Heart Failure at the DHZC Clinic for Cardiac Surgery.
Vaccination as the fourth pillar of prevention
The consensus paper describes influenza vaccination as the fourth pillar of heart attack prevention – alongside lowering blood pressure, treating high blood lipid levels and optimising blood sugar control. For people with coronary heart disease, after a heart attack or with heart failure, vaccination can offer additional protection against acute events.
Recommendation from DHZC specialists
Cardiologists at the DHZC recommend that heart patients contact their GP or cardiologist at an early stage and schedule their flu vaccination as soon as possible.
‘However, getting vaccinated in December or January is still advisable as long as the flu season continues,’ explains Prof. Felix Schönrath. ‘Vaccine protection builds up within about two weeks.’
If you have any individual concerns or pre-existing conditions, the decision should be made together with your treating physicians, according to the DHZC specialists.
Original publication: Heidecker B., et al., Vaccination as a new form of cardiovascular prevention: a European Society of Cardiology clinical consensus statement: With the contribution of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC), the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC), and the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC, European Heart Journal, September 2025
Source: Press release German Heart Centre at Charité
