A new study found that the shingles vaccine reduced major cardiac events by 46% and deaths by 66% in people with atherosclerotic heart disease. The research, presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session, examined over 246,000 US adults aged 50 and older.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 246,822 adults in the United States diagnosed with atherosclerotic heart disease, caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. The study, using the TriNetX database, compared 123,411 people who received at least one dose of Shingrix or Zostavax with an equal number who did not, matching both groups for demographics and health conditions. Data covered individuals aged 50 or older between 2018 and 2025, focusing on outcomes from one month to one year after vaccination or equivalent period for the unvaccinated group. Vaccinated individuals showed 46% lower risk of major adverse cardiac events, 66% lower risk of death from any cause, 32% lower risk of heart attack, 25% lower risk of stroke, and 25% lower risk of heart failure. Robert Nguyen, MD, a resident physician at the University of California, Riverside and lead author, stated: 'This vaccine has been found over and over again to have cardioprotective effects for reducing heart attack, stroke and death.' He added: 'Looking at the highest risk population, those with existing cardiovascular disease, these protective effects might be even greater than among the general public.' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for adults aged 50 and older, or younger with weakened immune systems, to prevent herpes zoster reactivation from the chickenpox virus. Prior research links shingles to blood clots near the brain and heart, potentially increasing cardiovascular risks. A 2025 study found a 23% reduction in cardiovascular events in healthy adults, lasting up to eight years. Limitations include tracking only the first year post-vaccination and possible healthier behaviors among vaccinated individuals, though adjustments were made for various factors. Nguyen will present 'Herpes Zoster Vaccination and Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease' on March 30 at 12:30 p.m. CT in Posters, Hall E.
