Shingles vaccine reduces risk of heart disease by 23%, study of one million

a year ago

Shingles vaccine may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a new South Korean study.
The study analyzed over 1 million people aged 50 and older, finding a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular disease in vaccinated individuals.
Reduced risk was most noticeable up to eight years post-vaccination, especially in males, those under 60, and individuals with unhealthy lifestyles.
Shingles can cause inflammation in blood vessels and nerve damage, potentially leading to heart disease and irregular heart rhythms.
The vaccine may be more effective in younger patients and males due to stronger immune systems.
The study used an older vaccine variation (live zoster vaccine), which is being phased out in favor of the more effective Shingrix vaccine.
Limitations include potential differences in health behaviors between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups and lack of diversity in study populations.
Other studies suggest shingles vaccination may also reduce dementia risk by 20%, possibly due to reduced inflammation in brain tissue.
Future research should focus on randomized clinical trials and more diverse populations to confirm these findings.

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