Still mild today, cold again tomorrow: suddenly changing weather conditions are often accompanied by an increasing number of flu-like infections, coughs, runny noses and fever. It is particularly important for people with heart diseases such as atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease (CHD) or heart valve disease to protect their heart from possible additional damage caused by the flu (influenza) or a flu-like infection.
Frequently asked questions from many heart patients are: How do I know that my heart is damaged as a result of the flu? Can I protect myself from this with a flu vaccination? And how long do I have to stop exercising after a cold, a flu-like infection or the flu? Answers to these and many other questions can be found here by sports cardiologist Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Scharhag from the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Heart Foundation. Information is also HERE .
Important for heart patients: flu vaccination to protect against heart disease
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Scharhag, Professor of Sport and Performance Physiology at the Center for Sport Science and University Sport at the University of Vienna
“A flu vaccination is definitely advisable, especially for heart patients. Because a real flu, influenza, also affects the heart of around one in ten sufferers. Among other things, this can result in inflammation of the heart muscle, myocarditis.”
Therefore, people with heart disease are more at risk of developing further heart problems if they have the flu. A vaccination against flu (influenza viruses) can reduce the likelihood of illness or at least the severity of influenza - and thus also the risk of myocarditis.
However, most upper respiratory tract infections are not caused by influenza viruses, but by other viruses such as adenoviruses or rhinoviruses. This is then referred to as a flu-like infection as opposed to the flu - even if the symptoms are sometimes similar.
“These viruses can also – although less frequently than influenza viruses – promote inflammation of the heart muscle, especially if the sick person does not take enough care and recover.”
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Scharhag, Professor of Sport and Performance Physiology at the Center for Sport Science and University Sport at the University of Vienna
Cardiac involvement: what are typical signs?
The signs of cardiac involvement are relatively non-specific and are the most common
- Fatigue,
- fatigue,
- shortness of breath or
- Tightness in the chest or pain behind the breastbone or
- Heart palpitations (in around one in five people affected).
If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately, who will, in addition to the medical history and a physical examination, carry out an ECG, an ultrasound examination of the heart and a blood test if there is suspicion of cardiac involvement. If cardiac involvement cannot be unequivocally proven or ruled out using the examinations listed, the next step is magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI) of the heart.
How long should you take a break after an infection before restarting sport?
There is no specific treatment for a flu-like infection. Nevertheless, as with influenza, the symptoms can often be improved with cold remedies such as nasal drops or fever-reducing agents. Those affected often find inhaling helpful. If you feel fitter again, you can first go for walks in the fresh air.
However, you should generally avoid exercise for the duration of the illness, advises sports cardiologist Scharhag. The body is weakened during this phase. Exercise then influences the immune system and can therefore be harmful.
“It is not possible to say in general how long the break from sports should be because every infection progresses differently and everyone affected recovers at different speeds.”
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Scharhag, Professor of Sport and Performance Physiology at the Center for Sport Science and University Sport at the University of Vienna
In the case of a common flu-like infection of the upper respiratory tract, a break of between seven and 14 days is usually correct. If you have influenza, you should take a break for at least 14 days.
“Before you restart sport with initially low exercise intensities, you should have at least two to three symptom-free days.”
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Scharhag, Professor of Sport and Performance Physiology at the Center for Sport Science and University Sport at the University of Vienna
In general, the following points should be taken into account when dealing with a cold, flu-like infection or the flu
- The stronger the infection, the longer the break.
- If you have mild symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose or cough, avoid sports and training.
- If you have body aches or fever, physical rest is required and exercise is absolutely taboo.
- If the complaints/symptoms are gone and you are able to perform well in everyday life again (e.g. when climbing stairs), you can start gently with relaxed or restful training and gradually increase this over one to two weeks depending on your condition. Always pay attention to your own body and, for example, check your pulse.
- If you feel tired/lack of energy, it is better to wait before exercising. And if you are unsure about your resilience, please see your doctor to be on the safe side.
- If cardiac involvement/myocarditis has been diagnosed, you must take a break for at least three months and your fitness for sport must be assessed by a sports cardiologist using, among other things, a resting ECG, cardiac ultrasound and stress ECG. If the results are correct, you can then start exercising again.
Tips
The Heart Foundation offers a consultation hour answer at www.herzstiftung.de/sport-nach-erkaeltung . Tips for cardiovascular patients on the topic of cold for heart problems: www.herzstiftung.de/herzproblems-bei-kaelte
Source:
German health portal
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