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Vaccination against shingles could potentially decrease the risk of heart disease by as much as eight years.

Vaccination against shingles could potentially postpone the onset of heart disease by up to eight years.

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Elderly woman, Elizabeth Gomez, aged 54, from Huntington Park, gets inoculated with Prevnar and...
Elderly woman, Elizabeth Gomez, aged 54, from Huntington Park, gets inoculated with Prevnar and shingles vaccines at a local CVS, with Sandra Gonzalez, the pharmacy manager, overseeing the process, on 28th August, 2024. Picture source: Christina House/Getty Images.

Vaccination against shingles could potentially decrease the risk of heart disease by as much as eight years.

Got the Lowdown on the Shingles Vax: Vaccine Guard Dogs Heart Health, Too!

Hey there! D'you know that as you hit the half-century mark, it's time to roll up your sleeves for an unexpected advantage? Yep, the shingles vaccine is more than just a shield against that painful, itchy rash. It's also your secret weapon in keeping heart troubles at bay!

You read that right! According to researchers, folks who've had their shingles shot enjoy a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart failure, strokes, and coronary heart disease, with this bonus protection lasting a whopping eight years post-immunization!

Here's the thing: shingles are just a comeback of the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you contract shingles, the virus can trigger inflammation in your blood vessels, potentially leading to cardiovascular events. But when you get the shot, it prevents the viral boogie man from wreaking havoc on your veins.

Intrigued? 'Course you are! This little-known perk of getting vaxxed against shingles first popped up in studies conducted by Dr. Sooji Lee and her team at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea. Their research, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that people who'd received the live shingles vaccine had a significantly lower risk of experiencing any type of cardiovascular event and major ones like stroke, heart attack, or heart-related mortality.

But it's not just about dodging bad heart stuff – the vaccine also works wonders for specific subgroups:

  • Dudes
  • those under 60
  • folks living the not-so-healthy lifestyle (looking at you, smokers, drinkers, and couch potatoes)

Now, before you down a bottle of champagne or take a victory lap around the block, remember this: The benefits we're chatting about here come from observational studies. Though the findings are rock-solid, more research needs to be done to really nail down the causal mechanisms. So talk to your doc, get that vaccine, and let the good times roll!

Sources:1. Shingles vaccines and incident heart failure in an older population: a self-controlled case series study2. Shingles vaccination and cardiovascular events: A self-controlled case series study3. Shingles Vaccine and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Older Adults: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study4. Shingles vaccination and cardiovascular diseases among older adults: self-controlled case series study using the Korean National Health Insurance Database5. Shingrix and cardiovascular disease

  1. Surprisingly, beyond protecting against shingles, the vaccine also provides a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart failure, strokes, and coronary heart disease for eight years post-immunization.
  2. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which can inflame blood vessels and potentially lead to cardiovascular issues.
  3. The shingles vaccine prevents the virus from causing harm to the cardiovascular system by targeting its presence.
  4. Research conducted by Dr. Sooji Lee and her team at Kyung Hee University Medical Center in South Korea indicates that people who've received the shingles vaccine have a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events and major ones like stroke, heart attack, or heart-related mortality.
  5. The shingles vaccine is especially beneficial for certain groups, such as men, people under 60, and those with poor health-and-wellness habits like smoking, drinking excessively, or lacking fitness-and-exercise and nutrition.
  6. The benefits of the shingles vaccine in reducing cardiovascular events are based on observational studies, and more research is needed to fully understand the causal mechanisms.
  7. Other heart diseases and medical-conditions can be impacted by a person's socioeconomic status, science, and lifestyle choices, including nutrition and exercise.
  8. Maintaining cardiovascular health is crucial in preventing various diseases and enhancing overall wellness.
  9. It's essential to consult a medical professional before getting vaccinated against shingles and to continue prioritizing a healthy lifestyle, which will help you react better to vaccines and other medical-conditions.

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