Shingles Vaccine Shocks Researchers With Surprising Heart Health Outcome

The list of advantages tied to the shingles vaccine continues to expand. Beyond preventing the painful rash caused by shingles and being associated with a reduced dementia risk, new findings suggest it may also support heart health, according to Fox News.

In a large South Korean study, researchers reviewed medical records of more than 1.2 million adults aged 50 and older over a period of up to 12 years. Those who received the shingles vaccine showed a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. The protective effect appeared to last as long as eight years.

The greatest benefit was observed in individuals under 60, likely due to stronger immune responses. The positive impact was also more evident in men and in people with riskier lifestyles, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or physical inactivity. The research was published in the European Heart Journal.

According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After an initial infection, the virus can remain dormant and later reactivate as shingles.

Professor Dong Keon Yon of Kyung Hee University College of Medicine noted that roughly 30% of people may develop shingles during their lifetime without vaccination. Because shingles has been linked to higher cardiovascular risk, his team explored whether vaccination could lower that danger.

Yon explained that shingles can trigger inflammation and blood vessel damage, potentially leading to heart disease. Preventing the infection may therefore reduce those complications.

However, experts caution that the study used a live vaccine, while the U.S. primarily administers Shingrix, which is more than 90% effective. Additionally, the study population consisted of a single Asian ethnic group, so broader research is needed to confirm the findings globally.