Common Vaccine Also Guards Against Heart Trouble
Roughly one in three adults globally is expected to experience shingles during their lifetime, a condition triggered by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
Adults aged 50 and older are eligible for the shingles vaccine, which offers more than 90% protection against the disease. In addition to guarding against shingles, past research suggests the vaccine may also offer other health advantages, such as lowering the risk of dementia and cardiovascular issues like stroke and heart attacks.
Dr. Sooji Lee, a researcher at the Center for Digital Health at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea, explained to Medical News Today that although shingles is typically viewed as an infectious disease, growing evidence suggests a link between shingles and long-term health problems like heart disease. This has prompted interest in exploring whether the shingles vaccine may provide broader health benefits.
Lee led a new study showing that individuals who receive the shingles vaccine have a 23% reduced risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems such as heart failure, stroke, and coronary artery disease. This protective effect can last up to eight years. The study analyzed data from over 1.2 million South Koreans aged 50 and older, beginning in 2012. Researchers examined the health outcomes of those who had received a live attenuated shingles vaccine.
Their findings revealed that vaccinated participants had a 23% lower risk of any cardiovascular issue, along with a 26% reduced chance of experiencing major events such as heart attack, stroke, or death related to heart disease. They also found a 26% reduction in heart failure risk and a 22% drop in coronary artery disease cases among those vaccinated.
Dr. Lee noted that these findings underscore the vaccine’s potential as a preventative tool, even among generally healthy individuals. The most pronounced benefits appeared within the first two to three years following vaccination, though some level of protection was observed for as long as eight years. She also indicated that future research will focus on newer shingles vaccines, which may offer even stronger effects.
Dr. Dong Keon Yon, professor at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine and co-author of the study, emphasized the size and depth of the research, which followed healthy individuals over a 12-year span. The study evaluated links between shingles vaccination and 18 types of cardiovascular disease, accounting for factors such as pre-existing health conditions, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status.
However, Yon noted that since the study focused on an Asian population, the results may not be universally applicable. Additionally, while the analysis was thorough, it does not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, a cardiologist at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in California, commented on the study’s implications. He pointed out that shingles can lead to inflammation, vascular damage, and blood clots, all of which contribute to cardiovascular disease. By preventing the underlying viral infection, the shingles vaccine could reduce these complications.
Chen added that the virus can negatively impact several body systems, including the heart and nervous system. While the study provides valuable insight, he emphasized the need for further research in diverse populations to confirm the findings.
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