Shingles Vaccine Linked to Reduced Heart Disease Risk: A New Study
A recent study has revealed a potential new benefit of the shingles vaccine: a reduced risk of heart disease. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, suggests that the vaccine may lower the risk of cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease, for up to eight years. This finding adds to the growing list of potential benefits associated with the shingles vaccine, which has also been linked to a reduced risk of dementia.
The study, conducted in South Korea, analyzed data from over 1.2 million individuals aged 50 or older over a period of up to 12 years. Researchers focused on the rates of shingles vaccination and the incidence of 18 different types of cardiovascular disease. The results showed that those who received the shingles vaccine had a 23% lower risk of developing heart problems compared to those who were not vaccinated.
Interestingly, the benefits of the vaccine appeared to be more pronounced in younger individuals, specifically those under the age of 60. The researchers suggest that this may be due to a stronger immune response in younger individuals, leading to greater protection against both shingles and related cardiovascular complications.
Furthermore, the study found that the vaccine’s heart health benefits were more prominent among men and individuals with unhealthy behaviors, such as being sedentary, consuming alcohol, and smoking. This suggests that the vaccine may be particularly beneficial for those who are already at a higher risk of developing heart disease due to lifestyle factors.
Professor Dong Keon Yon, the lead author of the study from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, emphasized the importance of shingles vaccination, noting that approximately 30% of people may develop shingles in their lifetime if they are not vaccinated. He also highlighted the potential for serious complications associated with shingles, particularly for older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
In addition to the painful rash that is the primary symptom of shingles, the infection has also been linked to a higher risk of heart problems. This prompted the researchers to investigate whether vaccination could help lower this risk. The study’s findings suggest that the shingles vaccine may indeed offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles, potentially contributing to improved cardiovascular health.
The researchers proposed several possible mechanisms for the vaccine’s protective effect on heart health. They suggested that a shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation, and clot formation, all of which can lead to heart disease. By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks and reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular complications.
While the study’s findings are promising, it is important to consider some limitations. Dr. Jasdeep Dalawari, an interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company, who was not involved in the study, offered his insights on the research and emphasized the need for careful interpretation, particularly for the U.S. population.
One key difference between the study and the current vaccination practices in the United States is the type of vaccine used. The South Korean study utilized a live vaccine, while the U.S. primarily uses Shingrix, a recombinant (non-live) vaccine. Shingrix has been shown to be over 90% effective against shingles, compared to the live vaccines 51% effectiveness. The live zoster vaccine contains a weakened form of the varicella zoster virus that causes shingles.
Dr. Dalawari also pointed out that the study’s observational nature demonstrates correlation, not causation, and that further research is needed to confirm the findings and establish a direct causal relationship between the shingles vaccine and reduced heart disease risk.
Another limitation of the study is its focus on a single ethnicity. The participant pool consisted of 1.2 million individuals aged 50 or older, all from South Korea. Dr. Dalawari suggested that expanding the participant pool to include diverse ethnicities would be beneficial in confirming the findings and ensuring their applicability to multi-ethnic societies.
The researchers acknowledged these limitations and emphasized that the results may not apply to all populations. They also noted that, while they conducted rigorous analysis, the study does not establish a direct causal relationship, and potential bias from other underlying factors should be considered.
Despite these limitations, the study’s findings provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of the shingles vaccine beyond its primary purpose of preventing the viral infection and resulting painful rash. The link between the vaccine and reduced heart disease risk warrants further investigation and could have significant implications for public health recommendations.
The research team plans to conduct further research into the heart health benefits of the non-live, recombinant vaccine (Shingrix) that is widely used in the United States. This research will help determine whether the same protective effects on heart health are observed with the non-live vaccine and will provide more definitive evidence to support the use of the shingles vaccine as a preventive measure for both shingles and cardiovascular disease.
