Vaccination against shingles potentially reduces the risk of heart disease by up to eight years.
Get Vaccinated Against Shingles: Potential Heart-Health Benefits Uncovered
Grab that vaccine, folks! It's not just about avoiding shingles - a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. A study reveals that adults aged 50 and above who receive the shingles vaccine might experience a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events. Fun fact: this benefit lasts for up to eight years after vaccination!
So, why should you get vaccinated? The shingles vaccine does more than prevent shingles. Past studies suggest it can lower the likelihood of heart-related issues such as heart failure, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
"Shingles was traditionally considered an infectious disease," says Dr. Sooji Lee, a researcher from the Center for Digital Health in South Korea. "However, previous studies suggest an association between shingles and chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, hinting at a potential link between infections and chronic diseases."
Dr. Lee is the first author of a recent study that found people who receive the shingles vaccine have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events. This lower risk continues for up to eight years post-vaccination according to the findings published in the European Heart Journal.
Researchers analyzed data from 1.2 million adults aged 50 or older in South Korea and discovered that those who received the shingles vaccine had a 23% lower chance of experiencing any cardiovascular events. Moreover, there was a 26% decrease in the risk for major cardiovascular events.
"The vaccine's cardiovascular benefits in a previously healthy population emphasize the potential of shingles vaccination as a preventive measure against heart disease," remarks Dr. Lee.
Why does the vaccine reduce disease risk?Shingles can cause inflammation in blood vessels, which might lead to cardiovascular events. By preventing shingles infection, the vaccine reduces this inflammatory response, presumably lowering the risk of heart disease.
Now, the best part is that the study shows that the heart-related protection offered by the vaccine lasts for up to eight years! The strongest protection appears in the first two to three years after receiving the vaccine.
As for the reason behind it, Dr. Lee states, "The shingles vaccine provides a long-term protective effect on heart health, with the most significant benefits observed in the first two to three years post-vaccination."
With the growing use of recombinant shingles vaccines, which have shown higher effectiveness, further research is needed to study their potential impact on cardiovascular outcomes.
"This is among the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years," says Dr. Dong Keon Yon, another researcher involved in the study. "This allowed us to examine the association between shingles vaccination and 18 different types of cardiovascular disease, while accounting for various other health conditions, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic status."
The research was performed on an Asian population, so the results may not apply to other demographics. Further investigation is required to confirm the findings and determine if they are applicable to diverse populations worldwide.
Several medical experts comment on the study's implications and outcomes. According to Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, "These results highlight the significant morbidity and mortality associated with shingles, and we should continue our efforts to vaccinate as many eligible patients as possible."
The varicella-zoster virus, which causes shingles, can lead to complications in different organ systems, including the heart and nervous system. Research on the shingles vaccine will help us better understand and reduce the health effects of the virus.
Dr. Grant Simons, chief of Heart Rhythm Services, finds the results surprising yet not entirely unexpected, stating, "While a link between shingles and cardiovascular events has been established, the extent of risk reduction shown in this study is notable."
In conclusion, the large-scale study provides a significant piece of evidence for the cardiovascular benefits of the shingles vaccine, yet more research is required to fully understand the underlying mechanisms.
- The shingles vaccine might not only prevent shingles, but also lower the risk of cardiovascular events by 23%, as suggested by a recent study.
- This reduced risk is observed for up to eight years following vaccination, according to findings published in the European Heart Journal.
- Researcher Dr. Sooji Lee says shingles could have a potential link to chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease.
- The study found that those who received the shingles vaccine had a 23% lower chance of experiencing any cardiovascular events, and a 26% decrease in the risk for major cardiovascular events.
- Inflammation caused by shingles in blood vessels could potentially lead to cardiovascular events, so preventing shingles might lower the risk of heart disease.
- The study showed the strongest protection against heart-related issues appears in the first two to three years after receiving the vaccine, with the benefits lasting for up to eight years.
- Recombinant shingles vaccines, known for higher effectiveness, need further study to investigate their impact on cardiovascular outcomes.
- The research, performed on an Asian population, may not be applicable to other demographics, and more investigation is required to confirm the findings and their relevance to diverse global populations.
