Don’t forget to get your flu jab!

As the colder months approach it's worth bearing in mind that there is growing evidence to suggest that heart attacks are linked with extreme weather conditions, especially cold weather.

The number of people admitted to hospital with heart attacks tends to increase during winter months. Several studies have reported a link between extremes in temperature and deaths from heart disease and strokes, particularly among the elderly.

Anyone older than six months with serious or chronic heart disease should visit their GP to get the flu jab.

Other people who need the vaccine include those aged over 65 years, people on immunosuppressants, people with chronic lung or liver or kidney disease, those with HIV and those with diabetes.

If you are unsure if you should have the flu jab or not then ask your GP.

While getting over a cold just takes few days, the flu can make you very ill and in some cases it can lead to a more serious infection like pneumonia. Sadly, in some cases it can cause death. So if you think that you should have the flu vaccination then the sooner you go to your GP to arrange it the better.

Having the flu vaccine one year will not protect you against flu the following year. For further information on the flu vaccination see the Department of Health Website (dh.gov.uk).

If you go out in cold weather, wrap up warm, wear layers of clothing and also wear a hat, as much of the body’s heat is lost through the head. Keep your hands and feet warm too, as they can loose heat quickly.

If you have a heart problem and are outside in cold weather, you should avoid sudden exertion e.g. lifting a very heavy bag of shopping or heavy digging the garden. In extremely cold weather it may be best to stay indoors, particularly in the evenings when the temperature will fall.

Avoid other people who have caught the flu where possible. If you are unlucky enough to catch the flu despite having the vaccine, avoid giving it other people by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

The flu is a very infectious disease, so every step you can take to prevent yourself from catching it and from spreading it counts!

For more information visit the British Heart Foundation website bhf.org.uk.