Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It often develops slowly over time as fatty deposits build up in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
This buildup can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Because of this, doctors are always looking for new ways to protect the heart, especially in people who already have heart disease.
A new study suggests that a vaccine commonly used to prevent shingles may also help protect the heart. The research was presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, known as ACC.26.
The findings show that people with heart disease who received a shingles vaccine had much lower rates of serious heart-related events within one year compared with those who were not vaccinated.
The study included more than 246,000 adults in the United States who had already been diagnosed with atherosclerotic heart disease. This is a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow properly. Among these participants, about half had received a shingles vaccine, while the other half had not.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can stay in the body for many years without causing problems.
Later in life, especially in older adults or those with weaker immune systems, the virus can become active again and cause shingles. This condition leads to a painful skin rash and can sometimes result in long-lasting nerve pain.
Health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommend the shingles vaccine for adults aged 50 and older, as well as for some younger people with weakened immune systems.
The main goal of the vaccine is to prevent shingles and its complications. However, scientists have started to notice that the vaccine may have additional benefits.
Previous research has shown that shingles infections can increase the risk of blood clots. These clots can form near the brain or heart and may lead to serious conditions such as stroke, heart attack, or other problems related to blood flow. By preventing shingles, the vaccine may also reduce the chances of these dangerous events.
In this new study, researchers used a large medical database called TriNetX, which contains health records from millions of people in the United States. They compared two groups of adults aged 50 and older with heart disease.
One group had received at least one dose of a shingles vaccine, such as Shingrix or Zostavax, while the other group had not been vaccinated. The two groups were carefully matched so they were similar in age, health conditions, and other factors.
The researchers then looked at what happened to these individuals between one month and one year after vaccination. The results were striking. People who had received the shingles vaccine were 46 percent less likely to experience a major heart-related event. They were also 66 percent less likely to die from any cause during that time period.
In addition, the vaccinated group had a 32 percent lower risk of heart attack, a 25 percent lower risk of stroke, and a 25 percent lower risk of heart failure. These are significant reductions and suggest that the vaccine may offer strong protection for people who are already at high risk.
The lead researcher, Dr. Robert Nguyen, explained that these benefits are similar to what is seen when someone quits smoking, which is known to greatly improve heart health. He also pointed out that vaccines are one of the most effective tools available to prevent disease, yet some people remain unsure about getting vaccinated.
While the findings are promising, the study does have some limitations. It only followed participants for one year after vaccination, so it is not clear how long the protective effects last. However, earlier research published in 2025 found that shingles vaccination could reduce heart-related risks for up to eight years in generally healthy adults.
Another important point is that people who choose to get vaccinated may also have healthier lifestyles overall. They may be more likely to exercise, eat well, and follow medical advice. Although the researchers tried to adjust for these differences, it is still possible that some of the benefits are partly due to these factors.
Even with these limitations, the large number of participants and the careful design of the study provide strong evidence that shingles vaccination is linked to a lower risk of serious heart problems. The findings suggest that this simple preventive measure could play an important role in improving heart health, especially for older adults and those already living with heart disease.
Overall, this study highlights how vaccines can offer benefits beyond their original purpose. While more research is needed to confirm the long-term effects and understand exactly how the vaccine protects the heart, the current evidence is encouraging.
It supports existing recommendations for adults over 50 to receive the shingles vaccine and suggests that doing so may also help protect against life-threatening heart conditions.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
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