Researchers have recently found that flu shots don’t only protect you from influenza. According to new study featured on TIME, it may also lower your risk of heart disease.

An international group of experts analyzed data on over 6,400 heart patients who were divided into three groups: one group received flu shots, another received placebos, and the last had no shots at all.

Those who were given a flu shot lowered their risk of death due to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiac events by 19 percent. However, patients who got the shot and had no previous history of cardiovascular conditions lowered their heart disease risk by 36 percent.

So the next time that you have the chance, ask your doctor about getting yourself vaccinated. There’s no better time to start taking care of yourself.

(Photo by Zaldymg via Flickr Creative Commons)