5 Reasons Why Vaccines Are Good for Your Heart

DATE
February 12, 2026

Red heart with a white heartbeat line next to a stethoscope on a teal background

February is American Heart Month, and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has updated this timely blog post about the importance of vaccination for people with heart disease and other chronic health conditions.

For people with heart disease, getting vaccinated is as important to staying healthy as diet and exercise.

Heart disease can make it harder for your body to fight off disease and can increase the risk of serious complications from certain diseases, including COVID-19, influenza (flu), pneumococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—each of which can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. These respiratory diseases can cause inflammation, which can lead to blood clots and blocked arteries in people with heart disease.

Here are 5 reasons why getting vaccinated is good for your heart:

Fight Flu: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 96% of people hospitalized with flu in the 2025-2026 respiratory season had at least 1 chronic health condition, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic metabolic disease, or chronic lung disease. Flu infection can also increase the risk of serious complications. For example, people with heart disease are about 6 times more likely to have a heart attack in the week after getting flu. Getting a flu vaccine can help reduce that risk. A large analysis found that people who were vaccinated for flu had an 18% lower risk of heart attack compared with those who were not vaccinated.
Pneumonia Prevention: People with heart disease are at increased risk of hospitalization and even death from complications of pneumococcal disease, which can include pneumonia and other serious infections.
COVID-19 Concerns: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 not only lowers the risk of severe illness, it may also reduce the risk of heart-related complications linked to the virus. One study found that people with COVID-19 were 3 to 8 times more likely to have a heart attack and 3 to 7 times more likely to have a stroke. Other research shows that people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Although rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) have been reported after some COVID-19 vaccines, the American Heart Association notes that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh these risks.
Prevent RSV: RSV is a common respiratory virus that impacts people of all ages and can be serious. Recent research found that people who were hospitalized for RSV were nearly 9 times more likely to have a heart attack and 7 times more likely to have a stroke in the week after being hospitalized. Other studies have suggested that RSV vaccination lowers the risk of being hospitalized for heart disease.
Increased Immunity (and Overall Well-Being): Getting vaccinated is part of a healthy lifestyle, particularly for those with heart disease. Vaccination helps protect against specific diseases and contributes to overall immune system strength. Like eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting regular check-ups, vaccines can play a vital role in keeping you healthy.