Vaccination against shingles could potentially decrease the risk of heart disease by as much as eight years.
Revamped Reality:
Yo, here's the scoop: If you're 50 and beyond, you can get jabbed against the pesky ol' shingles. But did ya know it's more than just shingles protection? Past studies have shown this little vaxx can offer added perks, like a potential reduced risk of cardiac snafus and other health troubles [1].
Just recently, a new study revealed a cool 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart failure, strokes, and coronary heart disease, for those rollin' with the shingles vaccine. This protective benefit can last a whopping eight years after vaccination [2].
"Shingles ain't just an infectious disease," explains Sooji Lee, MD, a researcher in the Center for Digital Health. "Previous studies hinted at a connection between shingles and chronic health issues, like heart diseases. That's why it's crucial to investigate the broader impact of the shingles vaxx."
Lee led the study, showing that vaxxed folks have a lower risk of having heart troubles. The findings rolled out in the European Heart Journal [2].
Could the vaxx lower cardio risks for everyone?
Researchers crunched numbers from over 1.2 million South Korean adults. They figured out who received the live shingles vaccine and followed their medical adventures for a while [2].
In the end, they discovered that those with the shingles vaxx had a 23% lower risk of any ol' cardiovascular events, plus lower risks for significant events like strokes, heart attacks, or heart-related deaths [2].
The vaxx further lowered heart failure risk by 26% and coronary heart disease by 22% [2].
"Vaccinating against shingles could be a preventative measure against heart disease," Lee said [2].
How does the vaxx keep the heart healthy?
Shingles might trigger inflammation in blood vessels, potentially causing cardiovascular problems. By preventing shingles, the vaxx likely reduces that pesky inflammatory response, thus lowering the risk of heart disease [3].
The vaxx's heart-focused protection sticks around for eight years
Not only that, but the team found that those protective heart benefits last for a full eight years! The strongest protection shows up within the first two to three years post-vaxx [2].
"Since recombinant shingles vaxxes are popular now and show higher effectiveness, we're keen to study their impact on heart outcomes next," says another researcher [2].
"Data from this study, based on an Asian population, may not apply to all populations. However, the results are significant, and further research is required to confirm whether the findings are applicable to wider demographics." Dong Keon Yon, MD, PhD [1]
REFERENCES:[1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/esl3.13554[2] https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac300/6208986[3] https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555198/
Insight: Studies show that the live shingles vaccine provides a protective effect on heart health by reducing the risk of several cardiovascular events (stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease, among others). This protection lasts up to 8 years after vaccination and is particularly pronounced in men, individuals under 60 years old, and those with unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle.
- The study led by Sooji Lee found that individuals who received the shingles vaccine had a lower risk of heart disease and other health troubles.
- Shingles could lead to inflammation in blood vessels, potentially causing cardiovascular problems, but the shingles vaccine, by preventing shingles, likely reduces that inflammatory response.
- The protective heart benefits from the shingles vaccine last for up to eight years after vaccination, with the strongest protection showing up within the first two to three years post-vaccination.
- Researchers are keen to study the impact of recombinant shingles vaxxes, which are popular and show higher effectiveness, on heart outcomes.
- A new study revealed a reduced risk (23%) of various cardiovascular events for those who received the shingles vaccine for up to eight years after vaccination.
- The live shingles vaccine provides a protective effect on heart health by lowering the risk of several cardiovascular events such as heart failure, strokes, and coronary heart disease.
- Further research is required to confirm whether the findings from studies on the impact of the shingles vaxx on heart outcomes are applicable to wider demographics.
- Past studies indicated a connection between shingles and chronic health issues, like heart diseases, which is why it's crucial to investigate the broader impact of the shingles vaxx.
- In addition to protection from shingles, the shingles vaccine may offer added benefits such as a possible reduction in the risk of other heart diseases and various health-and-wellness medical-conditions, making it a valuable component of cardiovascular-health care, nutritional plans, and therapies-and-treatments.
