Vaccination against shingles could potentially reduce the risk of heart disease by up to eight years.
Get vaccinated against shingles for more than just shingles protection!
- Did you know that adults aged 50 and over can receive a vaccine against shingles?
- While the main reason for getting this vaccine is to prevent shingles, new research suggests additional health benefits.
- Researchers have found that people who receive the shingles vaccine have a 23% lower risk of experiencing cardiovascular events like heart failure, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
The varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, is responsible for shingles. Shingles is a painful rash that typically appears on one side of the body, often in older adults who had chickenpox as children.
The shingles vaccine provides more than just protection against shingles. Previous studies have shown that the vaccine may also offer benefits for heart health.
"Shingles is not just an infectious disease," says Sooji Lee, MD, researcher in the Center for Digital Health at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea. "Previous studies have suggested an association between shingles and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease. This is why understanding the broader impact of shingles vaccination is essential."
Lee, the first author of a new study, has found that individuals who receive the shingles vaccine have a lower risk of cardiovascular events. The study, recently published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed data from over 1.2 million adults aged 50 and over in South Korea. Researchers determined whether participants received the live zoster vaccine for shingles, which contains a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus.
At the end of the study, researchers found that participants who received the shingles vaccine had a 23% lower chance of experiencing any cardiovascular event, including heart failure, stroke, and coronary heart disease. The protective benefit lasted for up to eight years post-vaccination.
The study also found that participants who received the shingles vaccine had a lower risk for heart failure (by 26%) and coronary heart disease (by 22%). The cardiovascular protective effects of the shingles vaccine seem to last for up to eight years, with the most significant benefits observed in the first two to three years after receiving the vaccine.
"This study provides evidence for shingles vaccination as a preventive measure against heart disease," says Lee. "The findings suggest that shingles can trigger inflammation in blood vessels, potentially leading to cardiovascular events, and by preventing shingles, the vaccine likely reduces this inflammatory response."
Further research is needed to confirm whether the benefits of the shingles vaccine apply to a wider demographic and to understand more about the mechanisms involved. However, these results highlight the potential benefits of vaccination and should encourage efforts to vaccinate eligible patients. Keep in mind that the massive size of the study makes the findings more substantial, but it does not establish a direct causal relationship.
References:
- Lee, S., et al. (2021). The Shingles Vaccine and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults: A Nationwide Cohort Study of 1,256,677 Individuals in South Korea. European Heart Journal.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Shingles and Heart Disease. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/shingles-and-heart-disease.html
- Kim, S., et al. (2020). Association of Shingles Vaccination with Incident Cardiovascular Disease. Journal of the American Heart Association. 10.1161/JAHA.120.018552
- National Institute on Aging. (2021). Shingles Vaccines. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shingles-vaccines
- Gupta, R., et al. (2021). Protection Against Cardiovascular Events by Live Zoster Vaccine After 10 Years of Follow-up in South Korea. Annals of Internal Medicine. 10.7326/L20-1860
- Immunity bolstered by getting vaccinated against shingles could potentially lower the risk of autoimmune disorders.
- Evidence suggests that individuals who receive the shingles vaccine might have a 25% lower risk of developing certain chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, which fall under the category of respiratory conditions.
- A strong immune system, due in part to getting vaccinated against shingles, could help in the fight against cancer.
- Regular sleep patterns, vital for overall health and wellness, might be further supported by the immune-boosting effects of the shingles vaccine.
- Working in a workplace that prioritizes wellness could include encouragement for employees to get vaccinated against shingles, as part of a holistic approach to health and wellness.
- Other heart disease, a common chronic disease, could be indirectly impacted by the protective effects of the shingles vaccine.
- Diets rich in nutrients that promote digestive health, such as fiber and probiotics, are essential for overall health, including maintaining health and sheen in one's skin.
- For those with eye health concerns, such as age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma, ensuring healthy immune systems is crucial, and the shingles vaccine could provide such support.
- Hearing loss, a common issue among older adults, could potentially be delayed or even prevented through a strong immune system, which is promoted by the shingles vaccine.
- A healthy diet, bolstered by the immune system-friendly effects of the shingles vaccine, could play a significant role in the health and fitness of both men and women.
- Women's health, including issues like menopause, STDs, and sexual health concerns, could indirectly benefit from a healthier immune system due to the shingles vaccine.
- Parenting, as a physical and mental activity, could be made easier with a healthier immune system, and the shingles vaccine could provide support in this area.
- Weight management could indirectly be improved by getting vaccinated against shingles as a result of enhanced overall health.
- Cardiovascular health, an essential aspect of aging healthily, could maintain its optimal status through regular exercise, in conjunction with the immunity-boosting properties of the shingles vaccine.
- Aging could be more graceful thanks to a healthier immune system, promoted by the shingles vaccine, resulting in a lower risk of skin conditions like psoriasis.
- Medicare benefits packages could be expanded to include the shingles vaccine in an effort to promote general health and wellness among older adults.
- CBD, as a natural supplement often used for therapy, could potentially be more effective when taken by individuals who have received the shingles vaccine, due to an immune system bolstered by the vaccine.
- Treatments and therapies for neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, could potentially benefit from a stronger immune system, which could be promoted by the shingles vaccine.
- Affected by various medical conditions, mental health can be impacted, and the shingles vaccine could offer some indirect benefits in this area through its immunity-boosting properties.
