Swine Flu and Cardiac Diseases

The 2009-2010 flu season is upon us and many people are likely
to get ill with either the usual seasonal flu or 2009 H1N1 flu. People with
heart disease, cardiovascular disease, or who have had a stroke are at increased
risk of having medical complications of flu. The information in this document is
intended to help this group prevent getting seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu and
provide guidance if they develop flu-like symptoms.

The information below is important for people with cardiovascular disease.*

Maintain a 2-week supply of your regular medications.Do not stop taking your regular medications without first consulting your health care provider, especially if you get the flu or a respiratory infection.People with heart failure should be alert to changes in their breathing and should promptly report changes to their health care provider.It is especially important to wash your hands often with soap and water and follow other everyday hygienic actions to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the flu.If you have symptoms of the flu (i.e., fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue) and you have heart disease, stroke, or cardiovascular disease, promptly contact your
health care provider to see if you need antiviral medication. Influenza antiviral medications can reduce the severity and duration of influenza illness and can reduce the risk of influenza-related complications. Information on antiviral medication recommendations is available at

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm.

*Cardiovascular disease includes but is not limited to heart
failure, angina, peripheral vascular disease, atrial fibrillation or other
heart rhythm abnormalities, stroke, and heart attack, and adults with
congenital heart disease.
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