chronic
conditions + the flu:
a dangerous
combination
people 65+ who are living
with a chronic condition
are more likely to be
hospitalized from the flu.
Heart disease, diabetes, and COPD are among the most common long-term illnesses. Learn how each can elevate your risk for a life-threatening, flu-related complication.
Heart Disease
Diabetes
COPD/Asthmaseniors with a history of
underlying health conditions
reduce their chance of
flu-related death by
if you have heart disease
of flu complications such as
INCREASED RISK
OF HEART ATTACK
OR STROKE
People with heart disease, including congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease, have a higher risk for serious complications from the flu. During the 2018–2019 flu season, 47% of adults hospitalized with the flu also had heart disease.
In patients with heart failure,
flu vaccination may be related to a 50%
reduction in risk of dying from a flu-related illness during the flu season.
if you have diabetes
influenza infection may result in a
Diabetes can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight the flu. Having the flu can make it difficult to control blood sugar levels, which can rise from the infection or fall if a person is not eating, causing risk for serious complications.
Diabetes patients who receive a flu vaccine have been
shown to reduce their risk of hospitalizations:
19% for heart attack, 30% for stroke, and 15% for pneumonia or flu.
if you have copd or asthma
COPD or ASTHMA are
MORE LIKELY TO
DEVELOP PNEUMONIA
after getting sick with the flu
Chronic lung diseases like COPD and ASTHMA cause airways to swell and become blocked with mucus. Influenza can also increase swelling of airways and lungs, leading to respiratory illnesses.
Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce hospitalization rates among people with chronic lung disease.
80% of seniors are
living with two or more
health conditions.
Other chronic conditions that can make adults more susceptible to complications from the flu include:
- Obesity
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Inflammatory arthritis
