A new study highlights the growing advantages of shingles vaccination, linking it to a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. Researchers from Kyung Hee University in South Korea published their findings this week in the European Heart Journal. They analyzed medical records from over a million South Koreans, discovering that those who received the shingles vaccine were significantly less likely to experience cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not. This adds to the evidence suggesting shingles is more detrimental to our health than previously understood.
According to researcher Sooji Lee, the vaccine may not only protect against shingles itself, but it could also have positive effects on heart health.
Shingles is triggered by the varicella zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. While chickenpox is often short-lived but uncomfortable, the virus can remain dormant for years within our bodies. If the immune system weakens, typically with age, the virus can reactivate, leading to shingles, which generally results in more severe symptoms such as intense pain and rashes that can persist for weeks. Unfortunately, some individuals may face ongoing nerve pain long after the initial outbreak.
Ongoing research indicates that shingles could elevate the risk of various health issues. Studies have linked it to a higher likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, while vaccination appears to correlate with a lower risk of these conditions. Additional research suggests that shingles may lead to heart complications post-infection, but there hasn’t been enough investigation into whether vaccination could prevent such risks from developing.
In South Korea, the healthcare system is primarily publicly funded, allowing researchers to utilize de-identified data effectively. The study tracked the shingles vaccination status and cardiovascular health of South Koreans aged 50 and older, starting in 2012 when the vaccine was introduced in the country.
The researchers found that receiving the shingles vaccine was associated with a 23% reduction in the risk of new cardiovascular conditions, and a 26% decrease in major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, as well as heart failure. This protective effect was most pronounced within the first two to three years following vaccination, although benefits were still observed up to eight years later. Interestingly, men, individuals with poorer health, and those living in rural or low-income areas seemed to gain even more protection.
Though observational studies like this can’t definitively establish causation, they do reveal important correlations. The authors suggest that shingles can lead to inflammation, blood clots, and damage to blood vessels—all recognized risk factors for cardiovascular issues. They also propose that the nerve damage caused by shingles might disrupt heart rhythm, potentially leading to serious complications like cardiac arrest.
It’s worth noting that this study focused on the older shingles vaccine, Zostavax, which employs a weakened virus to build immunity. This vaccine has mostly been replaced by Shingrix, a newer version that uses only a protein from the virus and is more effective at preventing shingles. There’s even some evidence to suggest Shingrix might offer enhanced protection against dementia.
Lee’s research team plans to investigate whether Shingrix provides similar, or possibly even greater, cardiovascular protection than its predecessor. Regardless, given how unpleasant shingles can be, vaccination already seems like a worthy choice. And if it can also improve our brain and heart health—well, that would just be a bonus.
