Shingles Vaccine May Offer an Unexpected Benefit for Heart Health
A new study suggests that the shingles vaccine Shingrix may offer benefits beyond protecting against the painful shingles rash. Researchers found that people who received Shingrix had a lower rate of cardiovascular problems, including heart failure, heart attacks and strokes, compared with people who received an older shingles vaccine. The researchers followed electronic health records for seven years and found fewer cardiovascular events among those who received the newer vaccine. The findings raise an interesting possibility that protection against shingles could also have positive effects on cardiovascular health. However, researchers stress that more studies and clinical trials are needed before a direct cause-and-effect relationship can be established. For now, the research adds to growing evidence about the wider health effects of shingles vaccination.
About The Author
