Beware of these flu symptoms if you have a heart disease

People with pre-existing heart conditions need to be very careful, considering other illnesses may increase their risk of developing further complications. Since it is known that heart patients are already prone to a cardiac arrest, a stroke or a heart attack, viral infections like COVID-19 or the flu are likely to make it more difficult to handle cardiovascular ailments.

Read more: Flu season 2021: Should you get a flu shot when you are sick? Or should you wait?

Given that amid the coronavirus crisis, flu infections have surged considerably, experts warn against a possible 'twindemic'. This can not only be concerning for everyone, but those with underlying heart conditions are at a greater risk of hospitalization and even death.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, "Among adults hospitalized with flu during recent flu seasons, heart disease was one of the most common chronic (long-term) conditions—about half of adults hospitalized with flu have heart disease."

Further, the health agency highlights that studies have shown an increase in heart attacks and stroke due to flu illness.

Read more: Lifestyle habits to keep your heart healthy

While the COVID-19 pandemic, the associated measures to curb the spread and maintaining proper hygiene lowered the risk of contracting not just the SARs-COV-2 virus, but also the flu, the easing down and relaxation of the same has made it more difficult than ever.

At a time like this, heart patients should be extremely careful and should be aware of the possible signs and symptoms of the flu. One should know how to differentiate between the most common and concerning symptoms.

Just like COVID-19, the flu can also cause mild to severe illnesses, and can even lead to death in certain cases. While most people who get a flu recover in a matter of days, there are those who experience severe symptoms and develop life-threatening respiratory complications.

That said, flu can result in serious medical issues including "inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure)", as per the CDC. Since it can also trigger extreme inflammatory responses in the body, it can cause sepsis.

Those with asthma or heart diseases should take extra precaution as it may worsen your condition.

Most common mild symptoms of the flu consist of fever, chills, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body ache, headache and in some rare cases diarrhea.

However, these symptoms are manageable with some at-home remedies or medications, prescribed by the doctors.

Flu may trigger certain symptoms that can be concerning and prove fatal if left untreated. Following are some of the emergency signs people with heart diseases should be mindful of and in case of occurrence, must seek immediate medical attention.

- Shortness of breath and chest pain

- Difficulty in breathing

- Dizziness, confusion, trouble concentrating

- Severe weakness and extreme fatigue

- Seizures

- Return of fever and cough that have worsened

An alarming increase in the number of flu cases has raised concerns in and around the world. Experts are urging everyone to get their flu shots as soon as possible so as to curb the risks and contain the spread.

Read more: Flu and diabetes risk: What to do and how to manage flu symptoms when you get sick, if you have diabetes

During such a time, people with underlying health conditions or any other chronic illness are extremely vulnerable. Not only are they more prone to contracting the virus, but they're also much more likely to develop severe symptoms.

That said, besides taking precautionary measures and following good hygiene practice, one must also get their flu shot. Even if you still contract the influenza virus, you will be safe from severe ailments and hospitalization risks.