Expert warns heart failure, flu linked

MANILA, Philippines — An expert from the Philippine Society on Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) yesterday warned that more people could suffer heart attacks this summer due to the increasing cases of influenza or flu.

 At a health forum, former PSMID president Rontgene Solante said influenza and heart ailments are correlated so it is highly possible to see more cases of cardiac arrest this season.

“Influenza virus infection may precipitate acute myocardial infraction or heart attack. So it is really possible to see cardiac arrest occurring among those with influenza-like illnesses, especially the old ones,” he noted.

Case study

Emmanuel Marasigan, 72, of Barangay Saluysoy, Meycauayan City in Bulacan, was diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchiolitis on Friday in a hospital in Quezon City.

According to his daughter Edna Chand, Marasigan had cough and colds for the past several days but he ignored the symptoms and did not consult a physician.  

But on Friday, Marasigan was pale and having difficulty breathing. When he was rushed to hospital, he was found to be suffering from pulmonary diseases. 

He underwent bypass operation in May 2010.

According to Solante, influenza can lead to various complications, particularly pneumonia which, in turn, can result in cardiac arrest, especially among the elderly and those with pre-existing heart conditions.

He added that the flu can cause the heart to have tachycardia, hypoxia, acute inflammation, cytokine release, vasoconstriction, coronary plaque disruption and thrombogenesis. 

But the expert said there are flu cases that do not manifest symptoms but can also lead to heart attack, particularly among the elderly.

“Many of those with cardiovascular problem, they go to hospitals not because of influenza or pneumonia. They go to hospitals because of cardiovascular problems,” he added.

PSMID noted rising consultation for influenza since late last year and this was attributed to the plummeting inoculation rate due to the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine fiasco.

Solante maintained in an earlier interview that most of the cases were caused by Influenza B, while the most common strains circulating in the country come from Influenza A.

He said this was because while “quadrivalent vaccine” is available to combat two subtypes each of Influenza A and B, many patients still do not receive this.

Instead, they are given the trivalent vaccine for two strains of Influenza A and one strain of Influenza B.