A recent study from South Korea suggests that getting the shingles vaccine might do more than just prevent a painful rash; it could also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. This research, which analyzed over a million subjects, was published in the European Heart Journal.
The virus responsible for shingles, known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV), initially causes chickenpox in childhood and can later manifest as shingles in older adults or those with weakened immune systems. While the vaccine has primarily been seen as a defense against the virus, recent studies indicate it might offer additional health perks.
An examination of health outcomes for more than 1.2 million individuals aged 50 and older revealed a 23% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk among those vaccinated against shingles. This reduction seemed most pronounced within the first eight years following vaccination, particularly for males, people under 60, and even those leading less healthy lifestyles, like chronic smoking or excessive drinking.
“Shingles can lead to inflammation in blood vessels, which can raise the likelihood of blood clots and, consequently, heart disease,” noted Hayeon Lee, a researcher from Lee Kyung Hee University College of Medicine. Vaccination may help mitigate these cardiovascular risks. There’s also speculation that nerve damage from shingles might disrupt heart rhythms, potentially leading to irregular palpitations or even cardiac arrest.
Lee mentioned that younger patients and males might experience better vaccine efficacy due to stronger immune responses.
“If we establish that a vaccine can lower the risk of both infections and serious conditions, it becomes a more essential public health resource,” Lee commented. This research offers insights that position vaccination as not only a barrier against infectious diseases but as part of a broader strategy for long-term health.
Further research is required to clarify the relationship between vaccination and cardiovascular event risk. Nonetheless, this study stands out as one of the most extensive to date, presenting a compelling argument for those unsure about getting vaccinated, according to Dr. Sharon Curhan, an epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Notably, one doesn’t need a prior history of chickenpox to receive the vaccine since the virus can remain dormant for years before reactivating. Surprisingly, over 99% of adults aged 50 and older globally have been exposed to VZV, with many possibly unaware that they had chickenpox.
Participants in the study received an older version of the shingles vaccine, which is gradually being discontinued. The live zoster vaccine, no longer available in the U.S. since 2020, contained a weakened strain of the virus. It has now been largely replaced by the more effective Shingrix vaccine.
There’s a need for additional studies to evaluate the health benefits associated with different vaccine types. Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, an assistant professor at Stanford, highlighted that a major limitation of this research type is that it compares vaccinated to unvaccinated individuals, who often differ significantly in their health behaviors.
While researchers were able to account for various demographics like age, income, and pre-existing health conditions, other factors like diet and adherence to treatments might not have been fully captured in non-clinical trials.
Lee noted that upcoming studies should focus on more racially and ethnically diverse groups, as immune responses can vary across populations.
These findings align with other recent studies uncovering additional health benefits tied to shingles vaccination.
For instance, a study from Stanford published in April reported a 20% reduction in dementia risk among vaccinated individuals. This research capitalized on a unique situation in Wales, where the shingles vaccination program was rolled out in 2013 with specific eligibility criteria, allowing for direct comparison of health outcomes.
Gelderzer explained that shingles doesn’t just inflame blood vessels; it can also inflame nerves, potentially leading to prolonged pain and brain tissue damage associated with dementia.
