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continued:

Flu shots: Especially important if you have heart disease

When should I get a flu shot?

If you have heart disease, get the flu shot each fall when it becomes available, usually late September through November. However, if flu shots are still available and you haven't yet received a vaccination, you'd still benefit from getting a flu shot in January or later. That's because the flu season doesn't typically peak until January, February or March.

Do I have to get a flu shot from my cardiologist?

You don't have to get your flu shot from your cardiologist. The flu shot is also available through primary care doctors, some specialists, public health departments and some pharmacies. It's best to call ahead to determine if vaccine is available and when. Some places may require an appointment.

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References
  1. Questions and answers: Seasonal flu shot. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  2. Estimating deaths from seasonal influenza in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  3. Flu and heart disease and stroke. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/heartdisease/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  4. Loomba RS, et al. Influenza vaccination and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality: Analysis of 292,383 patients. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2012;17:277.
  5. Correction. Circulation. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/114/22/e616. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  6. Smith SC Jr., et al. AHA/ACCF Secondary prevention and risk reduction therapy for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2011 update: A guideline from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation. Circulation. 2011;124:2458.
  7. Flu season poses special problems for heart patients. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/The-Fluand-Heart-Disease_UCM_445089_Article.jsp. Accessed Nov. 4, 2012.
HB00086 Jan. 19, 2013

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