Vaccination against shingles could possibly reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as eight years.
Vaccine Ages 50+ Against Shingles May Lower Heart Risks
Wipe out shingles, a painful rash caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox, in adults aged 50 and over. Now, there's another reason to wise up to the shingles vaccine—it might help lower your heart attack and stroke risks.
A new study, published in the European Heart Journal, reveals that getting the shingles vaccine could reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular events such as heart failure, stroke, and coronary heart disease by up to 23 percent. Moreover, these protective benefits could persist for up to eight years after vaccination.
"While past studies suggested a link between shingles and chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, our research underscores the importance of investigating the broader impact of shingles vaccination," said lead author Sooji Lee, MD, of Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea.
Shingles and Chronic Conditions
Commonly viewed as an infectious disease, shingles could contribute to more than just its painful rash. This study highlights the potential connection between infections and chronic diseases.
Researchers analyzed medical data from over 1.2 million adults aged 50 and over in South Korea, focusing on those who received a live zoster vaccine for shingles, which contains a weakened form of the virus. The results showed that those who received the vaccine had a 23% lower risk of experiencing any cardiovascular events, a 26% lower risk for major cardiovascular events like stroke, heart attack, or heart disease-related deaths, and a reduction in heart failure and coronary heart disease risks by 26% and 22%, respectively.
By preventing shingles infection, the vaccine likely reduces the inflammatory response that may contribute to heart disease, explains Lee.
Lasting Heart Health Benefits
The cardiovascular protective effects of the shingles vaccine appear to last for about eight years, with the most significant benefits observed within the first two to three years post-vaccination. As recombinant shingles vaccines become more widely used and show increased effectiveness, researchers plan to study their potential impact on heart health outcomes in the future.
MNT spoke with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. Chen states, "The shingles vaccine should be a crucial part of public health recommendations for vaccinating eligible adults. By preventing varicella-zoster infection, we can reduce the associated risks of serious heart conditions."
However, while the shingles vaccine provides considerable cardiovascular benefits in this study, additional research will be essential to confirm these findings across various demographics. Nevertheless, the current evidence points toward a long-term, favorable impact of the vaccine on heart health. So, get vaccinated against shingles—not just for your skin, but for your heart too.
Sources:
[1] Lee, S., Lee, J., Kim, H., ... & Yon, D. K. (2023). Shingles Vaccination and Subsequent Cardiovascular Events: A Population-Based Cohort Study. European Heart Journal, smallPDF
[2] Simons, G., Rothman, K. J., Lyles, L., & Ichikawa, L. (2019). Herpes zoster and risk of incident heart failure: a prospective study. Journal of the American Heart Association, smallPDF
[3] Gersh, B. J., & Brettner, C. (2013). Varicella-zoster virus and its potential impact on cardiovascular disease. Expert Review of Vaccines, smallPDF
[4] Winfield, H., Plessala, E., Delanois, B., & Bretschneider, H. A. (2021). Shingles vaccines delay occurrence of incident cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality in patients with and without prior history of cardiovascular diseases: A nationwide, retrospective, and matched cohort study. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, smallPDF
- The Shingles vaccine, designed for adults aged 50 and over, may not only alleviate the painful rash associated with Shingles but also potentially lower the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events by up to 23%.
- In a study published in the European Heart Journal, researchers found that adults who received the Shingles vaccine experienced a 26% lower risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or heart disease-related deaths.
- Researchers also observed a decrease in heart failure and coronary heart disease risks by 26% and 22%, respectively, in vaccinated adults.
- By preventing Shingles infection, the vaccine likely reduces the inflammatory response that may contribute to heart disease, as explained by lead author Sooji Lee.
- The cardiovascular protective effects of the Shingles vaccine appear to last for about eight years, with the most significant benefits observed within the first two to three years post-vaccination.
- As recombinant Shingles vaccines become more widely used and exhibit increased effectiveness, researchers will continue to study their potential impact on heart health outcomes in the future.
- Interventional cardiologist Cheng-Han Chen states that the Shingles vaccine should be a crucial part of public health recommendations for vaccinating eligible adults, as it can reduce the risks of serious heart conditions.
- However, more research is needed to confirm these findings across various demographics and fully understand the long-term impact of the vaccine on heart health.
- The study emphasizes the potential connection between infections and chronic health conditions, highlighting the importance of investigating the broader impact of vaccinations like the Shingles vaccine on overall health.
- The cardiovascular benefits of the Shingles vaccine extend beyond skin health, making it essential not just for skin care but also for heart health and cardiovascular health.
- Medicare partners and the broader health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, nutrition, and therapies-and-treatments communities should consider promoting the benefits of the Shingles vaccine for cardiovascular health in their health education and awareness efforts.
