A shingles vaccine may cut the one-year risk of major cardiac events nearly in half among older adults with heart disease, as the shingles vaccine cuts cardiac risk, according to new research presented ahead of a major cardiology conference.
Study Finds Significant Drop in Heart Attacks and Death
Researchers report that vaccinated adults show sharply lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and death compared with unvaccinated individuals. The findings add to growing evidence that the shingles vaccine offers protection beyond preventing infection.
The study is set to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans. It focuses on adults aged 50 and older with a history of atherosclerotic heart disease.
From one month to one year after vaccination, participants who received the shingles vaccine experienced a 46% lower risk of major cardiac events. The risk of death from any cause dropped by 66%, while heart attacks fell by 32% and strokes by 25%.
“This vaccine has been found over and over again to have cardioprotective effects for reducing heart attack, stroke, and death,” said Dr. Robert Nguyen, the study’s lead author.
Researchers Analyze Large Patient Data Over Seven Years
The analysis included 246,822 U.S. adults diagnosed with cardiovascular disease between 2018 and 2025. Half received at least one dose of a shingles vaccine, while the other half served as unvaccinated controls.
Researchers used electronic health records to compare outcomes between the two groups over the same time periods. The results consistently showed lower risks across multiple cardiac conditions among vaccinated individuals.
Nguyen said the protective effects may be especially strong in high-risk populations, as the shingles vaccine cuts cardiac risk. “Looking at the highest risk population, those with existing cardiovascular disease, these protective effects might be even greater than among the general public,” he said.
Previous studies have suggested that shingles infections can trigger blood clot formation, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. Vaccination may reduce this risk by preventing the infection altogether.
Health Experts Highlight Added Benefits Beyond Shingles Prevention
Health officials say the findings reinforce existing recommendations for shingles vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises adults age 50 and older, as well as younger people with weakened immune systems, to receive the vaccine.
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the virus that leads to chickenpox and is known for causing a painful rash and long-term nerve pain. Researchers now say preventing the disease could also reduce cardiovascular complications.
Experts note that the observed risk reductions are comparable to those associated with quitting smoking, one of the most significant lifestyle changes for heart health.
The study authors caution that the findings are observational and will be presented at a conference, meaning they have not yet undergone full peer review. Still, they say the large sample size and consistent results strengthen confidence in the conclusions.
Further research is expected to explore how the vaccine produces these protective effects and whether similar benefits apply to broader populations, as the shingles vaccine cuts cardiac risk
