When high-risk patients, such as the elderly, develop respiratory infections there can be a cascade effect of inflammation that moves from the lungs to the heart, triggering myocardial infarction (or MI). What is the mechanism by which vaccination might prevent MI? Dr. Mohammed Madjid, senior research scientist at Texas Heart Institute in Houston, explains the cause and effect relationship between the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, and MI. What are the vaccine guideline recommendations for patients with heart disease, and can early use of antibiotics help reduce the risk of infection-related cardiovascular events? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.