Furthermore, many studies have shown that shingles, which occurs due to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, not only causes pain and severe prolonged complications2 but also increases the risk of rare cardiovascular events.
Therefore, the correlation between shingles and cardiovascular diseases highlights the importance of preventive measures, especially in the management of cardiovascular diseases.
The impact of shingles on cardiovascular patients is significant
Cardiovascular disease is considered one of the factors that increase the risk of developing shingles3. According to research conducted in Southern Israel, more than 32% of shingles patients had cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and myocardial infarction5. Additionally, the risk of developing shingles in patients with comorbid cardiovascular diseases increases by up to 34%.
Patients hospitalized due to shingles also have a higher risk of serious cardiovascular complications4. Reports indicate that the risk of myocardial infarction in shingles patients with comorbid cardiovascular diseases increases by 69%, while the risk of heart failure increases by up to 92%.
Dr. Bui The Dung, PhD, Head of the Cardiology Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
To find preventive methods for the complications of shingles on cardiovascular diseases, leading healthcare professionals in prevention and treatment discussed at the satellite meeting "The burden of shingles on cardiovascular patients and preventive measures through vaccination" sponsored by GSK.
This satellite is a part of the 19th National Cardiology Conference organized by the Vietnam Society of Cardiology in Hue aimed at continuously updating, supplementing knowledge, and exchanging expertise among leading experts in the field of cardiology both domestically and internationally.
Speaking at the symposium, Dr. Bui The Dung, PhD, Head of the Cardiology Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the incidence of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia increases with age, particularly in those over 50 years old: “The incidence of herpes zoster, followed by postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), is expected to increase due to the aging population and the development of immunocompromising conditions related to aging. Moreover, chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases further increase the risk of developing shingles. Notably, contracting shingles can cause rare cardiovascular complications such as an increased risk of stroke, and this risk rises immediately after infection."
Recommendations for prevention to reduce cardiovascular events caused by shingles
According to experts, current treatment options for shingles and its complications remain limited and suboptimal6. Therefore, preventive efforts are considered one of the important solutions in the management of cardiovascular diseases by significantly reducing the risk of developing shingles and the rate of rare cardiovascular events and preventing disease progression.
Research in the United States shows that preventive measures against herpes zoster significantly reduce the risk of stroke in people aged 60-697.
Dr. Tran Vu Minh Thu, Head of Cardiology Department 2, Cardiology Center - Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, stated: “People aged 50 and above, as well as individuals over 18 with immunodeficiency, are at high risk of contracting shingles. Therefore, it is necessary to proactively prevent shingles and its complications early on.”
“Research worldwide shows that the shingles vaccine has demonstrated up to 97.2% efficacy in preventing shingles and over 91% efficacy in preventing shingles complications when vaccinated in people aged 50 and above with an intact immune system, even if these individuals have underlying medical conditions. Furthermore, the lasting protective efficacy has been proven in long-term follow-up studies of this method*,” said Dr. Tran Vu Minh Thu.
