Laura Adomaitytė¹, Jurgita Kupčinskaitė¹, Kamilė Račkelytė¹

¹Lithuanian University of Health Science, Academy of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The cardiovascular system and upper respiratory tract pathologies are closely connected. A connection between influenza infection and cardiovascular disease has been observed since the early 20th century. Once infected an inflammatory response is activated. This is manifested by sudden fever, tachycardia, dehydration, hypoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability and increased secretion of cytokines. Such stress can have a profound effect on patients with chronic heart disease, angina pectoris or asymptomatic patients with reduced ventricular function or severe coronary artery stenosis. Epidemiological studies have scientifically substantiated the benefits of vaccination in this risk group – influenza vaccination has a major impact on the course of cardiovascular disease. Currently, the influenza vaccine has the most evidence of a positive effect on patients with cardiovascular disease. Attempts are now being made to demonstrate the efficacy of this vaccine, not only as a preventive measure but also as a factor that has an immunomodulatory effect on the body. The role of influenza vaccination has not been fully elucidated and requires further studies to prove the cardioprotective effect of this vaccine. Keywords: influenza, vaccine, cardiovascular disease.