Learn

General practitioners are experts in preventive care and deliver more immunisations than any other craft group in Australia. GPs also manage cardiovascular disease and its complications routinely. It is not universally recognised, however, that Influenza epidemics are associated with a significant increase in cardiovascular deaths.

Influenza infection is associated with a six-fold risk of developing a heart attack or stroke or dying from cardiovascular causes in the subsequent 2 weeks and seasonal influenza immunisation may reduce a patient’s risk of cardiovascular death by up to 50%.

Fewer than 50% of those under 65 years of age with cardiac disease receive the influenza immunisation and many cardiac patients perceive the flu to be a nuisance rather than a credible threat to their cardiac and overall health.

Assisting physicians and patients to recognise the role of influenza vaccination in cardiovascular disease protection is an opportunity to expand and improve the way in which we mitigate cardiovascular risk.

Sponsor: This activity is sponsored by Sanofi.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the link between influenza infection and higher rates of cardiovascular events

2. Outline the role influenza vaccination can play in protection from cardiovascular death

3. List the patient and physician barriers to implementing routine influenza vaccination in target and priority cardiovascular disease populations

4. Summarise a framework for collaboration between GP, cardiologist and patient to improve uptake of annual influenza vaccination in target populations.

Details

Disclaimer: Please note, once you click 'Register now' you will be leaving the AMA’s CPD Home website and entering a third-party education provider’s website. If you choose to register for this learning, you will need to provide some of your personal information directly to the third-party education provider. If you have any queries about how third-party education providers use, disclose or store your personal information you should consult their privacy policy.

Upon completion, your CPD activity record may take up to 48 hours to be reflected on your CPD Home Dashboard.