If you’re over 50 and get the flu jab, you’ll not only help to keep the dreaded lurgy at bay but you could also reduce your risk of a heart attack.

That is the advice of UNSW researchers after their study estimated a vaccine effectiveness of 29% in preventing heart attacks which is on par with other heart attack preventative measures. Previous studies have estimated the effectiveness of statins for the secondary prevention of heart attacks at 25%, anti–hypertensives (15–18%) and smoking cessation interventions (26%).

Researchers in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine (SPHCM) conducted a systematic review and meta–analysis of 16 international case control studies to estimate the association of influenza and vaccination with heart attacks.

They found significant associations between influenza infection and heart attacks, with heart attack patients twice as likely to have recently had the flu.

Their review also confirmed existing evidence, including their own 2013 study, which found that the flu vaccination could lower the risk of a heart attack by 45%.

The study was published in the journal Heart.