New research suggests coming down with the flu can increase your risk of having a heart attack.

Researchers at the UCL Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology in London looked at 39 studies conducted between 1932 and 2008 and found that heart attacks were more common during flu season, especially in patients with heart disease or diabetes.

Dr. Marc Siegel of New York University School of Medicine says the flu virus puts stress on the system. "It is not surprising that you would have the increased risk of a myocardial infarction during or right after an influenza infection," he says.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises anyone with chronic medical conditions, like heart disease, to get vaccinated against the flu. This study echoes the recommendation, saying that the research shows getting a flu shot reduced the risk of dying from heart disease or suffering a heart attack.

Meanwhile, frequent hand washing is considered one of the best ways to avoid the virus.

Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, echinacea and probiotics have all been shown to boost immunity and may help avoid both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 strain of the virus. These are available as nutritional health supplements.