Shingles Vaccine Reduces Heart Disease Risk by 23%
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people who received a shingles vaccine had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. The protective effect lasted for up to eight years and was particularly pronounced for men, people under 60, and those with unhealthy lifestyles.
The study, led by Professor Dong Keon Yon from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in South Korea, included 1,271,922 people aged 50 or older living in South Korea. Researchers gathered data on whether people received a shingles vaccine and combined it with data on their cardiovascular health and other factors that influence health.
The vaccine, a live zoster vaccine containing a weakened form of the varicella zoster virus, showed a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events overall, with a 26% lower risk of major cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attack, or death from heart disease), a 26% lower risk of heart failure, and a 22% lower risk of coronary heart disease.
The protective effect was strongest in the two to three years after the shingles vaccine was given, but researchers found that the protection lasted for up to eight years. Professor Yon suggested that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors, offering health benefits beyond preventing shingles.
The study is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years. It examined the association between shingles vaccination and 18 different types of cardiovascular disease, accounting for various health conditions, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic status.
However, the results may not apply to all populations, and more research is needed on the recombinant vaccine. The study does not establish a direct causal relationship, so potential bias from other underlying factors should be considered.
Professor Yon and his colleagues plan to study the impact of the recombinant vaccine to see if it has similar benefits for reducing heart disease.
More Information:
- DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf230
- Source: European Society of Cardiology
Citation:
Shingles vaccine lowers the risk of heart disease for up to eight years, study finds (2025, May 5)
Retrieved 5 May 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-shingles-vaccine-lowers-heart-disease.html
