The benefits of avoiding shingles through vaccinations are increasingly evident. Recent research has unveiled a significant link between receiving the shingles vaccine and a reduced risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. This groundbreaking study, conducted by researchers from Kyung Hee University in South Korea, was published in the European Heart Journal and analyzed the medical records of over a million South Korean residents.
The study revealed that individuals who received the shingles vaccine were significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not get vaccinated. Researcher Sooji Lee emphasized that this suggests the vaccine not only protects against shingles itself but may also confer additional benefits for heart health.
Shingles, caused by the varicella zoster virus—the same virus responsible for chickenpox—can remain dormant in the body for years. When the immune system weakens, usually due to aging, this dormant virus can reactivate, leading to a painful shingles infection characterized by severe rashes and lasting discomfort.
While shingles is widely recognized for its painful symptoms, ongoing research indicates that it may also elevate the risk of other serious health complications. Studies have found associations between shingles and increased risks of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Conversely, those vaccinated against shingles show a lower incidence of these cognitive disorders. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that shingles infections may lead to heart complications.
In South Korea, a publicly funded, single-payer healthcare system facilitates extensive research, allowing scientists to access anonymous health data. For this study, the researchers tracked the shingles vaccination status and cardiovascular health of individuals aged 50 and older, starting in 2012—the year the shingles vaccine became available in the country. They found that vaccination was associated with a 23% lower risk of any cardiovascular condition and a 26% lower risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. The study also highlighted a 26% lower risk of heart failure among vaccinated individuals.
The protective effects of shingles vaccination were most pronounced in the first two to three years following vaccination, although benefits were still observable up to eight years later. Notably, the study indicated stronger protection among men, those with poorer pre-existing health conditions, and individuals living in rural or low-income areas.
While these findings are compelling, it is important to note that the study is observational. This means it can establish a correlation between shingles vaccination and reduced heart disease risk but cannot definitively prove causation. The authors suggest that shingles infections may lead to inflammation, blood clots, and damage to blood vessels—all known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Another consideration is that the study primarily examined the older shingles vaccine, Zostavax, which uses a weakened virus to build immunity. This vaccine is being replaced by Shingrix, a newer vaccine that only utilizes a protein from the virus and has demonstrated greater effectiveness in preventing shingles. Preliminary research suggests that Shingrix may also provide enhanced protection against dementia. Lee's team plans to investigate whether this newer vaccine can offer similar or even superior cardiovascular protection.
Given the severe discomfort associated with shingles and the potential for serious long-term health implications, getting vaccinated against this condition is a wise choice. As research continues to uncover the additional benefits of shingles vaccination, it becomes increasingly clear that vaccination may also support brain and heart health.
