Eight-year decreased heart disease risk associated with new vaccine.
Shingles Vaccine May Lower Heart risk by 23%
It seems that getting vaccinated against shingles could offer more than just shielding you from the chickenpox-related virus. New research, conducted by scientists from Kenn University (South Korea) and published in the European Heart Journal, reveals a 23% dip in cardiovascular diseases among those who've received the vaccine. This positive effect can persist up to eight years!
To reach this conclusion, the scientists studied the health of over 1.27 million South Korean adults aged 50 and over. From 2012 onwards, they tracked who among them received the live vaccine against shingles and compared this data with indicators of their cardiovascular well-being, taking into account factors like age, gender, income, and lifestyle.
The results were pretty impressive: vaccination lowered the overall risk of cardiovascular diseases by 23%, the risk of stroke and heart attack by 26%, heart failure by 26%, and ischemic heart disease by 22%. That's some serious protection!
Interestingly, the strongest effect was seen within the first two to three years post-vaccination but partial protection lingered on for up to eight years. The vaccine seemed to have the biggest impact on men, those under 60, and individuals with unhealthy lifestyles, like smokers, drinkers, or the less active bunch.
The researchers believe the reduced risk might stem from shingles causing inflammation and damage to blood vessels, subsequently increasing the risk of thrombosis and heart diseases. By preventing virus activation through vaccination, these risks are minimized.
Previously, a doctor offered tips on avoiding a "spring" heart attack.
Here's the twist: This study suggests the vaccine may not only protect against shingles, but it could also help reduce heart-related issues associated with the virus itself!
[Key Insights]- The live zoster vaccine provides a 23% reduction in cardiovascular events[2][3].- The benefits have been observed to last up to 8 years[2].- The vaccine may help limit chronic inflammation and vascular injury caused by shingles, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and thrombosis[2].- Researchers tracked participants for up to 12 years, adjusting for factors like smoking, alcohol use, and other cardiovascular risk factors[2].- The live attenuated vaccine appears to offer dual protection – against shingles and its cardiovascular complications, by blocking viral reactivation and subsequent systemic inflammation[2][3].
- The scientists' research published in the European Heart Journal found that getting the shingles vaccine may lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 23%.
- The study on over 1.27 million South Korean adults aged 50 and over revealed that the vaccine can decrease the overall risk of heart attack and stroke by 26%, heart failure by 26%, and ischemic heart disease by 22%.
- The effects of the vaccine on cardiovascular health were observed to last up to eight years.
- The strongest impact of the vaccine on cardiovascular health was seen within the first two to three years post-vaccination, but partial protection persisted for up to eight years.
- The study shows that the vaccine may have the biggest impact on men, those under 60, and individuals with unhealthy lifestyles, such as smokers and drinkers or the less active bunch.
- By preventing the activation of the virus that causes shingles, the vaccine could help minimize the risks of thrombosis and heart diseases associated with shingles inflammation and damage to blood vessels.
