Most people think of shingles as a painful skin rash, but scientists are discovering that the condition may affect much more than the skin.
New research suggests that the shingles vaccine could help lower the risk of serious health problems such as heart attacks and strokes, especially in older adults.
Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus is called varicella-zoster. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus does not completely leave the body. Instead, it hides quietly inside nerve cells for many years.
Later in life, the virus can become active again and cause shingles. This usually happens when the immune system becomes weaker with age, illness, stress, or certain medical treatments.
Shingles often causes a painful rash with burning, itching, or blistering on one side of the body or face. Some people also develop fever, headaches, fatigue, or nerve pain.
For many people, the pain disappears after the rash heals. But in some cases, nerve pain can continue for months or even years. This long-lasting condition is called postherpetic neuralgia and can seriously affect quality of life.
Researchers have also learned that shingles may temporarily increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Doctors believe this may happen because the virus can trigger inflammation inside blood vessels and throughout the body. Inflammation can make blood vessels less stable and increase the chance of blood clots forming.
The risk appears especially high during the first few weeks after shingles develops.
If the virus affects certain nerves in the face or around the eyes, studies suggest the risk of stroke may double or even triple during that time.
Because of this, scientists have become increasingly interested in whether shingles vaccines may offer protection beyond simply preventing the rash itself.
A new study led by researcher James Mbinta examined whether receiving the shingles vaccine might reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
The researchers analyzed hospital records from people who received the shingles vaccine in New Zealand between 2018 and 2021.
The study included 278,375 adults, most of whom were aged 70 years or older.
To understand the vaccine’s effects, researchers compared hospital visits during two different time periods. One period covered the first 42 days after vaccination, while the other looked at later time periods.
The researchers found fewer hospital admissions for strokes and heart attacks during the first six weeks after vaccination.
The results suggested that the vaccine may reduce the risk of these serious cardiovascular problems by nearly half during that period.
Researchers say the findings are especially important because older adults face higher risks from both shingles and cardiovascular disease.
As people age, the immune system becomes less effective at controlling hidden viruses such as varicella-zoster. At the same time, the risk of heart disease and stroke naturally increases.
The study therefore raises the possibility that preventing shingles-related inflammation may also help reduce stress on the heart and blood vessels.
Another researcher, Professor Colin Simpson, noted that the findings were similar to results from an earlier Australian study. That research also reported lower stroke rates among vaccinated adults aged 70 to 79 years.
Previous studies led by Mbinta had already shown that shingles vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization from painful nerve complications following shingles.
Together, the research suggests the vaccine may provide broader health benefits than many people realize.
Health experts estimate that about one in three people will develop shingles during their lifetime. The risk rises sharply after age 50 and continues increasing with age.
For older adults, shingles can sometimes lead to severe complications, especially if the rash affects the eyes, face, or nervous system.
Vaccination is currently considered one of the best ways to reduce the risk of shingles and its complications.
Researchers caution that the new study does not prove with complete certainty that the vaccine directly prevents heart attacks or strokes. Because the study was observational, other factors may also have influenced the results.
For example, people who receive vaccines may also be more likely to engage in other healthy behaviors, attend medical appointments regularly, or manage chronic health conditions more carefully.
More research will be needed to confirm exactly how strong the protective effect is and how long it lasts.
Still, scientists say the findings are encouraging because they suggest shingles vaccination may offer additional protection for overall health.
The study also highlights how infections and inflammation can affect the cardiovascular system in ways many people may not expect.
Doctors recommend that older adults discuss shingles vaccination with their healthcare providers, especially since the vaccine may help reduce several different health risks at once.
Like all medical treatments, vaccines may have side effects, and decisions should be based on individual health conditions and medical advice.
Even so, researchers believe the shingles vaccine could become an increasingly important tool not only for preventing painful rashes and nerve pain but also for potentially lowering the risk of dangerous cardiovascular events in older adults.
As scientists continue studying the connection between infections, inflammation, and heart health, the findings suggest that preventing viral illness may also play an important role in protecting the heart and brain as people age.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and calcium supplements could harm your heart health.
For more health information, please see recent studies that blackcurrants can reduce blood sugar after meal and results showing how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer.
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