Healthspan is a big deal for us at Biohackr Health. For those of you with atherosclerosis and a higher risk of heart attacks, we want to advise you on ways to be healthier.
One simple measure you can take? Get your flu shot.
This was a study published in Scientific Reports in Nature, November 2023 — “Influenza vaccination and major cardiovascular risk: a systemic review and meta analysis of clinical trials studies.” It was a great review of exploring how influenza flu vaccination shots affect “major cardiovascular events.” Major cardiovascular events include conditions like heart attacks and stroke. These were great placebo/double-blinded studies.
STUDY:
The study looked at 9,059 patients, where roughly half received the flu shot and the other half got a placebo. The average age was 61. They found a notable reduction in cardiovascular events for those who had gotten the flu shot. They found a decreased risk of heart attack, and a SIGNIFICANT reduction in cardiovascular death events. They concluded, “This study provides compelling evidence that influenza vaccination is associated with decreased risks of heart events, especially myocardial infarction (heart attack) and cardiovascular death.”
Why?
They have some theories:
- Inflammation modulation: Does having the flu trigger systemic inflammation, which contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis and coronary vascular disease?
- Immune system modulation: Does the flu vaccine help your body’s response to not just influenza, but other viruses?
- Prevent secondary infection: If you get the flu, your body is weaker and more susceptible to other illnesses.
- Stability of atherosclerotic plaque: Influenza infections are thought to destabilize atherosclerotic plaques, leading to heart attacks and strokes.
What can Biohackr Health do?
- We offer immunity-boosting IVs — a specific immunity IV, but also the NAD IV is thought to really help with infection and inflammation.
- What is your risk? Our Biohackr Benchmark testing purposefully includes an in-depth cholesterol panel (including ApoB and homocysteine) and we partnered with Stanford to offer a cardiac calcium CT scan to show the current state of plaque buildup in your arteries.
- The NAD program is thought to help with body inflammation and help your immune system function better.
Note: This information of avoiding infections through vaccination is one that likely applies to other vaccines. There is a clear link shown here from vaccines helping protect patients at risk for coronary and other vascular disease. Prevention is key to biohacking. Consider any recommended vaccines for your age group: COVID, shingles, RSV, and influenza.
