PROTECTING YOUR HEART AND HEALTH WITH FLU SHOTS
Heart patients need to do everything they can to maintain their health, and this includes getting a flu shot each season. If you have a heart condition, the flu shot isn’t something you want to brush off. It’s easy and affordable to get thanks to the many walk-in flu shot clinics throughout Gainesville.
Your cardiologist should have told you the benefits of the flu shot. However, if they didn’t advocate for the shot or you forgot what you were told, keep reading to learn more about how the shot protects your heart during the flu season.
The Flu Isn’t the Common Cold
People confuse the flu with the common cold. A cold is annoying, but it’s not nearly as serious as the flu, especially for heart patients. The average person who gets the flu might feel awful for several days, but people with a heart condition can experience heightened symptoms. You may feel out of breath and have a rapid heart rate and end up needing hospitalization. Luckily, this doesn’t have to happen when you visit a Lanier Urgent Care, a flu shot clinic in Gainesville, GA, and get your annual flu shot.
Is the Flu Shot Safe for Heart Patients?
There’s a lot of misinformation on the internet. First, it’s always best to listen to your doctor’s advice because they know your health history. But to answer the question, yes, the flu shot is safe for most heart patients. It’s the best defense against complications from the flu. That being said, many health care professionals recommend that heart patients stay away from the nasal spray flu vaccine. There isn’t sufficient evidence of its safety for people with heart disease. Instead, it’s better to have the flu vaccine injected the traditional way.
People who choose to get their vaccine from a walk-in flu shot clinic because it’s easier and faster to be seen. You’re in good hands at these clinics, but remember they aren’t aware of your health history like your regular doctor’s office. Therefore, before getting the flu shot, let the staff know the following:
Have an allergy to eggs
Spiked a fever when you got a flu shot in the past
Have had a serious reaction to a past flu vaccine
Developed Guillain-Barré syndrome after receiving the flu shot
Flu Shots for Pediatric Heart Patients
If your child has a heart condition, ask your doctor about the benefits of the flu vaccine. Getting the vaccine as early as possible offers the best protection and helps you beat the rush of people seeking it.
Are you looking for a local walk-in flu shot clinic in Gainesville? Look no further than Lanier Urgent Care. We offer flu shots for adults and children. To learn more about our services, our hours, and current wait times, visit us online at https://www.lanieruc.com. (770) 824-4610.
