A comprehensive review of 155 studies spanning 1997–2024 finds that acute viral infections markedly raise short-term cardiovascular risk, with influenza boosting heart attack risk fourfold and stroke risk fivefold in the first month, and COVID-19 raising heart attack and stroke risk about threefold in the following 14 weeks, with elevated risk potentially lasting up to a year.

Beyond the short term, chronic viral infections—especially HIV and hepatitis C—are linked to higher long-term cardiovascular risk, with HIV roughly 60% higher risk of heart attack and 45% higher risk of stroke, hepatitis C around 27% and 23%, and shingles contributing additional excess risk.

The study emphasizes that, while short-term risks after influenza or COVID-19 are higher and long-term risks exist for other infections, the overall elevation in risk is clinically meaningful and vaccination could mitigate these risks, particularly for people with cardiovascular disease or risk factors.

Researchers screened about 52,336 publications and included 155 high-quality studies from North America, Europe, and East Asia, noting most focused on a single infection rather than multiple infections.

Limitations include reliance on observational data rather than randomized trials, potential confounding factors, and the need for more research on high-risk groups and other viruses.

The article underscores the importance of rapid recognition and treatment of stroke symptoms, contextualizing findings with Germany’s health data and routine sources like RKI.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally and in the U.S., with the piece framing the information as educational rather than personal medical advice.

Key sources include the JAHA systematic review and meta-analysis, a JAMA Network Open study on influenza vaccination and cardiovascular risk, and CDC mortality data.

A US meta-analysis led by UCLA’s Kosuke Kawai analyzed 155 studies and was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Other viruses—such as herpes simplex, hepatitis A, HPV, dengue, and chikungunya—also show elevated risk in some analyses, though results are less clear and further research is needed.

Public health takeaways emphasize vaccination and preventive measures to reduce cardiovascular risk, citing prior evidence that flu vaccination lowers serious cardiovascular events by about 34%.

A 2022 overview study is cited noting flu vaccination reduces serious cardiovascular events by approximately 34%, reinforcing the importance of timely recognition of stroke symptoms.

Overall, the findings highlight that influenza and other viruses remain concerns for heart health, especially for those with preexisting conditions, warranting ongoing vaccination and infection-prevention efforts.

The meta-analysis analyzed over 52,000 studies but included 155 meeting quality criteria, with the strongest associations observed for influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

A key proposed mechanism is that the body’s immune response to infection triggers inflammation and increased blood clotting, effects that can persist after the acute illness and elevate cardiovascular risk.

Inflammation and hypercoagulability driven by the immune response during infection are implicated in the higher cardiovascular risk observed after viral infections.