Shingles vaccine linked to lower risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds
Researchers say benefits of two-dose Shingrix vaccine could be comparable to taking daily blood pressure medication The current shingles vaccine appears to significantly lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to scientists who say it could help prevent thousands of deaths each year. The research, based on records of 70,000 people in the US, found that those who had received Shingrix…
A new study suggests that the Shingrix vaccine may significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. The research, which analyzed health records of 70,000 US adults aged 60 and over, found that those who received Shingrix had a 12% lower risk of cardiovascular events in the three and a half years following vaccination compared to those not vaccinated.
If these findings are confirmed through further studies, the vaccine could be as effective as taking daily blood pressure medication, potentially preventing hundreds of thousands of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, can lead to a painful rash and persistent nerve pain.
The more recent Shingrix vaccine, which uses advanced technology, has been shown to be more effective than the previous shingles vaccine, Zostavax. Previous studies had hinted at a possible link between Shingrix vaccination and lower cardiovascular disease risk, but the new study is the first to control for potential confounding factors, making the results more reliable.
The researchers are now investigating the possible mechanisms behind this protective effect, such as whether shingles increases the risk of cardiovascular disease or if the vaccine has broader immune system benefits.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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