OMRON Healthcare Issues National Health Warn for Cold & Flu Season and Possible COVID Variants, Alerting of Risen Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

October 10, 2022 : As the U.S. approach another cold and flu season and the potential of increasing infections from COVID variants, global heart health leader OMRON Healthcare is administering a national health alert warning of advanced risk for those with high blood pressure and reaching for regular blood pressure monitoring and active administration of hypertension, clinical data indicates high blood pressure contributes to complications from COVID-19 and could factor into “long COVID” signs. Research also offers high blood pressure as a chronic aggravating situation for complications from seasonal flu – a 2018 study found that the threat of having a heart attack was six times more heightened within a week of a flu infection.

As part of this national health alert, OMRON Healthcare executives also suggest new research published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, which casts that high blood pressure and other threat factors associated with heart disease are expected to boost the years ahead particularly.

“High blood pressure is a national health problem affecting 116 million U.S. adults and the perils of heart attack and stroke are even higher during cold and flu season. The data from this recently published study shows the urgency of this crisis continues to grow and impact more Americans,” said Ranndy Kellogg, president and CEO of OMRON Healthcare. “Thankfully, we are not helpless in facing this health crisis. Regular blood pressure monitoring indicates your risk. Take action to manage high blood pressure, which decreases your risk. There are more tools to help anyone stop heart attack and stroke.”

OMRON Healthcare suggests these tips to reduce cardiac event risks during the cold and flu season:

• Observe your blood pressure regularly – Your blood pressure alters over time and fluctuates during the day. Observe your blood pressure weekly or daily to understand your heart health, particularly during cold and flu season and times of elevated risk of COVID transmission.
• Take action to control high blood pressure – If you have been analyzed with hypertension, you may be at higher risk of more significant difficulties from COVID or a seasonal bout with the flu. Speak to your doctor and take action to manage your condition and decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke.
• If you carry COVID or the flu, watch your blood pressure closely – If you have COVID, long COVID symptoms, or the flu, speak to your doctor and monitor your blood pressure twice a day or as the suggested provider. Increased cardiac event threats can occur even after you no longer feel COVID or flu infection signs.
• Get vaccinated for influenza and remain updated on COVID booster eligibility – The flu vaccine is widely public along with COVID vaccines targeting common variants. If you are already vaccinated for COVID, boosters are currently available, which can help your immune system fight the most typical and dangerous variants and reduce your symptoms.

As per the Houston Methodist review, getting the influenza vaccine substantially decreases cardiovascular risks associated with difficulties from the flu.5

“As a physician already worried about the high blood pressure crisis, I know these risks grow during the cold and flu months and can be even more increased during the pandemic. I encourage everyone to be aggressive. Know your blood pressure, and talkk to your doctor. If you are on a treatment plan, make it part of your everyday routine. Your health is worth the struggle,” stated Dr. Renee Matthews, an author and content creator, focused on health education and bridging health gaps.

“For people with uncontrolled Stage 2 hypertension, I advise you ask your doctor about innovative treatment options such as remote patient monitoring assistance covered by Medicaid and some insurance plans. VitalSight by OMRON supports build better health habits and flags data to the doctor when critical action needs to be taken. VitalSight also comes with a nucleus that does not need home Wi-Fi so data can be sent to the doctor – that’s an essential way to bridge the heart health gap,” stated Dr. Renee.