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Vaccination against Shingles could potentially decrease the risk of heart disease by as much as eight years.

Vaccination against shingles potentially decreases the risk of heart disease by up to eight years.

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Elderly resident Elizabeth Gomez, 54, from Huntington Park, undergoes vaccination for Prevnar and...
Elderly resident Elizabeth Gomez, 54, from Huntington Park, undergoes vaccination for Prevnar and shingles at a CVS pharmacy in Huntington Park, as managed by pharmacy manager Sandra Gonzalez, on August 28, 2024. Credit: Christina House/Getty Images.

Vaccination against Shingles could potentially decrease the risk of heart disease by as much as eight years.

Here's a fresh take on the topic:

Shingles Vaccine: A Surprising Protector Against Heart Disease

Getting vaccinated against shingles isn't just about saving yourself from that pesky rash; it might also shield you from heart trouble. Research suggests that people who receive the shingles vaccine may have a lower risk of cardiovascular events for up to eight years!

Adults aged 50 and over can get vaccinated against shingles. This isn't just about shingles prevention—it's also about potentially reducing the risk of heart-related issues, according to recentstudies.

The link between shingles and cardiovascular events has been a topic of interest for some time, which led a research team from South Korea to delve deeper. Sooji Lee, MD, the study's first author, noted, "Traditionally, shingles has been seen as an infectious disease. But previous studies showed an association between shingles and chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, suggesting a potential connection between infections and chronic illnesses."

The research was published in the European Heart Journal and involved over 1.2 million South Korean adults 50 years and older. Scientists determined whether participants received the live zoster vaccine for shingles, which contains a weakened form of the virus. After analyzing the data, they found that those who got the shingles vaccine had a 23% lower chance of experiencing any cardiovascular event, as well as a 26% lower risk for major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death from heart disease.

The vaccine decreased a person's risk for heart failure by 26% and for coronary heart disease by 22%. Sooji Lee explained, "Shingles can trigger inflammation in blood vessels, potentially leading to cardiovascular events. By preventing the shingles infection, the vaccine likely reduces this inflammatory response, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease."

Interestingly, the cardiovascular protective effects of the shingles vaccine last for up to eight years, with the strongest protection occurring in the first two to three years post-vaccination. Now, researchers are curious about the potential impact of newer vaccines such as recombinant shingles vaccines.

While these findings are significant, it's essential to remember that the study focused mainly on an Asian population, and further research will be needed to confirm if the results apply to various demographics.

Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, highlighted the importance of vaccinating eligible patients to reduce the risk of both shingles and its heart-related complications. "Varicella-zoster, the virus that causes shingles, has been shown to increase inflammation, cause blood vessel damage, and increase clotting, all of which can lead to serious cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure," explained Chen.

The fascinating connection between shingles and heart health is shedding new light on the importance of vaccination in older adults. By avoiding shingles, we may also be guarding our hearts! Keep that vaccine appointment scheduled, folks!

  1. The shingles vaccine, which contains a weakened form of the virus, may lower an individual's risk of heart events by 23%, according to recent studies.
  2. A research team from South Korea found that receiving the live zoster vaccine for shingles decreased a person's risk for heart failure by 26% and for coronary heart disease by 22%.
  3. Research suggests that people who receive the shingles vaccine might have a lower risk of cardiovascular events for up to eight years.
  4. Interestingly, the cardiovascular protective effects of the shingles vaccine last for up to eight years, with the strongest protection occurring in the first two to three years post-vaccination.
  5. The Link between shingles and cardiovascular events has been a topic of interest for some time, and studies suggest that the shingles virus can trigger inflammation in blood vessels, potentially leading to cardiovascular events.
  6. The vaccine's potential impact on newer vaccines like recombinant shingles vaccines is now a topic of curiosity among researchers.
  7. In light of these findings, it's crucial to remember that the study focused primarily on an Asian population, and further research will be needed to confirm if the results apply to various demographics.
  8. Adhering to vaccine recommendations and getting vaccinated against shingles not only helps prevent shingles but also potentially reduces the risk of heart-related complications.

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