New Delhi, 06 May 2025: A new study has revealed a surprising benefit of the shingles vaccine — it may significantly lower your risk of heart disease. According to the report, adults who received the shingles vaccine had a 23% reduced risk of developing heart-related issues. This breakthrough could change how we view vaccines beyond their immediate purpose.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It’s the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body and can reactivate later as shingles.
Shingles can cause burning, nerve pain, and blisters. It usually affects people over 50. But now, researchers have found that the shingles virus may also be linked to heart problems.
The Link Between Shingles and Heart Disease
Recent studies have found that shingles may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. Experts believe that the virus triggers inflammation in the body. This inflammation can damage blood vessels and increase the chances of heart attacks and strokes.
That’s why this new finding about the shingles vaccine and heart disease prevention is so important.
What the Study Says
The new report, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, followed more than 2 million people over several years. It found that individuals who received the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) — the most common shingles vaccine — had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who were unvaccinated.
The reduced risk included heart attacks, strokes, and overall heart disease. The results held true even after adjusting for age, gender, lifestyle, and other medical conditions.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. It affects millions of people and is responsible for one in every five deaths in the United States. Finding new ways to prevent heart disease is a public health priority.
Vaccines are usually known for protecting against infections. But this study shows that they may also offer protection against chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease. This could change how we view adult vaccination programs in the future.
Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for adults aged 50 and older. It’s a two-dose series and is considered safe and effective. Even people who’ve had shingles or received the older vaccine should consider getting the updated recombinant version.
If this study’s findings are confirmed in future research, the vaccine could become an important tool not just for preventing shingles, but also for protecting your heart.
This isn’t the first time a vaccine has shown heart benefits. Flu and pneumonia vaccines have also been linked to lower heart disease risks. Experts believe that reducing inflammation from infections may be the key. This latest report adds to the growing body of evidence that vaccines can offer unexpected health benefits beyond what they were originally designed for.
