Pneumonia vaccine halves heart attack risk

Posted on 2008-10-10 08:41:37 in Cardio-Vascular | Infectious Disease | Respiratory |

Recent study results suggest that being vaccinated against pneumonia may dramatically reduce the risk of heart attack.

Danielle Pilon and colleagues conducted a study designed to investigate whether pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccination offers any protection against heart attack. A total of 43, 209 patients at risk of heart attack were identified for the study, out of these the researchers matched 999 patients who had been treated for heart attack with 3996 controls according to age, sex, and year of hospital admission. Results of the study revealed that the incidence of heart attack was 50% lower in participants who had received the pneumococcal vaccine more than two years before being admitted to hospital.

The researchers conclude: “After a number of confounding and modifying variables were taken into account, the odds of having received a vaccination against S. pneumonia in the group who had experienced myocardial infarction was about half that in the control group. Moreover, this association appeared stronger and the benefit appeared to increase with time since exposure to the vaccine.”

Lamontagne F, Garant MP, Carvalho JC, Lanthier L, Smieja M, Pilon D. Pneumococcal vaccination and risk of myocardial infarction. CMAJ 2008;179. doi:10.1503/cmaj.070221.

 


Health Headlines

Language and memory tests can reliably predict when a healthy elderly person is likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia
Rush University Medical Center (USA) embarks on a research study to ascertain how microbial imbalances may impact diseases such as breast cancer.
Yale University researchers report improved function of the blood vessel lining and reduced cholesterol levels in diabetics who consume walnuts daily.
Routine moderate exercise can reduce the risk of premature death in people with heart problems by up to 60%.
Added as a sweetener to many processed foods and beverages, fructose (also known as high fructose corn syrup), may increase blood pressure.
Diets high in sodium and artificially sweetened soda linked to kidney function decline.
Antioxidant compounds retard the ability of influenza virus to damage a key protein in lungs
Studying an animal model of spinal cord injury, UCSD researchers report successful regeneration of nerve cells even when treatment is delayed.
Gallup Survey finds that 11.3% of American adults have diabetes, and the trend upwards is projected to continue unless aggressive interventions are implemented.
More than 11% of American adults surveyed say they failed to enjoy a day in the previous month where they got enough sleep.
Looking for an Anti-aging Doctor?

upcoming Events

U.S. Events
congresses
Las Vegas
fellowships
fellowships
symposium
workshops
  • Advanced Hormone Symposium
    Chicago, IL | Oct. 8-10, 2010

VIDEO: Bio-Identical Hormone
          Replacement

Dr. Sangeeta Pati, one of the world’s foremost educators and practicing physicians in the field of HRT shared “The Nuts and Bolts of Hormone Restoration” via webinar. View the Webinar.

International Events
See all events »