Reduction in heart disease risk by up to eight years potentially achievable through Shingles vaccine administration.
Vaccination Against Shingles: A Cardiovascular Game-Changer?
Yep, you've guessed it! Older adults (50 and above) can now protect themselves against shingles, a pesky virus that resembles chickenpox's wicked cousin. But here's something unexpected - the shingles vaccine might just save your ticker!
Researchers have discovered that getting the shingles jab can lower your risk of heart-related issues by up to 23% for up to eight years! That's right, folks, we're talking about heart failure, strokes, and coronary heart disease.
"boy, that shingles vaccine sure packs a punch," said Sooji Lee, MD, a researcher at the Center for Digital Health in South Korea. "It ain't just about preventing shingles; it appears to provide a significant protective benefit for your heart."
The study, which was published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed data from over a million South Koreans aged 50 and older for over a decade. Notably, the researchers discovered that people who received the live shingles vaccine faced a 23% lower risk of all cardiovascular events. To break it down further, they found a 26% lower risk for major cardiovascular events such as strokes, heart attacks, or deaths due to heart disease.
Additionally, the study found that the vaccine lowered the risk of heart failure by 26% and coronary heart disease by 22%.
"the shingles vaccine could be a game-changer for our heart health," said Lee. "It might reduce the inflammation in blood vessels, which could lead to cardiovascular events. By preventing shingles, the vaccine can lower the risk of heart disease."
The Vaccine's Lasting Heart-Related Protection
Fascinatingly, Lee and her team discovered that the vaccine's cardiovascular protective effects last for up to eight years and are most pronounced within the first two to three years after vaccination.
"the shingles vaccine offers a long-term protective effect on heart health," explained Lee. "the best part? The most substantial benefits come within the first two to three years post-vaccination."
As Recombinant shingles vaccines have gained popularity and shown higher effectiveness, Lee and her colleagues plan to study their potential impact on cardiovascular outcomes in the future.
"this is a huge find," said Dong Keon Yon, MD, PhD, professor at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in South Korea. "it's one of the largest and most comprehensive studies to investigate the association between shingles vaccination and cardiovascular diseases. We've examined the connection between shingles vaccination and 18 various types of heart conditions."
While the team accounted for various factors like other health conditions, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status, they acknowledge that the findings may not apply to all populations. Further research is needed to determine whether the benefits are universal.
Opinions from the Field
"these findings are absolutely mind-blowing," said Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist. "shingles is known to stir up nasty inflammation, blood vessel damage, and excessive clotting. These complications can lead to severe heart conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure."
"reduce the risk of getting these terrible infections through vaccination, and we can effectively lower the risk of experiencing heart diseases," Chen continued.
Research on the shingles vaccine can shed light on the complex ways varicella-zoster affects different organ systems, including the heart. However, it's essential to conduct further studies to confirm whether the findings are applicable to a more diverse demographic.
"I found the results somewhat surprising yet not entirely unexpected," said Grant Simons, MD, the chief of Heart Rhythm Services at Hackensack University Medical Center. "A link between shingles and cardiovascular events is well-established; however, the extent of the risk reduction provided by the shingles vaccine is notable."
The study offers compelling evidence for the cardiovascular benefits of the shingles vaccine. Researchers observed a robust and long-lasting protective effect, yet further study is needed to clarify the exact mechanisms involved, Simons explained.
- The shingles vaccine, according to researchers, can lower the risk of heart-related issues, including heart failure, strokes, and coronary heart disease, by up to 23% for up to eight years.
- For major cardiovascular events, such as strokes, heart attacks, or deaths due to heart disease, the study found a 26% lower risk for those who received the live shingles vaccine.
- The shingles vaccine was discovered to lower the risk of heart failure by 26% and coronary heart disease by 22%.
- Researchers found that the shingles vaccine offers a long-term protective effect on heart health, with the most substantial benefits coming within the first two to three years post-vaccination.
- The study, led by Sooji Lee, MD, analyzed data from over a million South Koreans aged 50 and older for over a decade to determine the association between shingles vaccination and cardiovascular diseases.
- The study investigated the connection between shingles vaccination and 18 various types of heart conditions, accounting for factors like other health conditions, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status.
- Grant Simons, MD, the chief of Heart Rhythm Services at Hackensack University Medical Center, found the results surprising yet not entirely unexpected, noting a well-established link between shingles and cardiovascular events.
- The shingles vaccine could potentially reduce inflammation in the blood vessels, leading to fewer cardiovascular events, and thereby, lower the risk of heart disease.
- Further research is needed to determine whether the benefits of the shingles vaccine are universal and to clarify the exact mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular protective effect.
