In the meta-study, which is the first of its kind, a total of 19 studies were analyzed, where two different types of shingles vaccines were used. Vaccination against shingles, also called herpes zoster, gave a significantly lower risk of stroke and heart attack compared to no vaccination at all. The risk of stroke was 16 percent lower among vaccinated individuals, while the risk of heart attack was 18 percent lower, regardless of which vaccine one received.
"We found that vaccination against herpes zoster in this analysis was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes", say the researchers behind the study in a press release.
They add that further research is needed to prove the connection.
Recently, a large study from South Korea was also presented, which showed that individuals who had received shingles vaccine had a 23 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the unvaccinated.
Shingles vaccine has also been linked to a reduced risk of dementia.
The study was presented at the European heart congress ESC in Madrid.
