Herpes Zoster Linked to Stroke and MI Risks

Herpes zoster reactivation, also known as shingles, may increase a person's risk of stroke and myocardial infarction, according to recent research study.

This study reports that a shingles attack may increase the risks of cardiovascular events (41%), stroke (35%), and myocardial infarction (MI) by 59%.

The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term pain from post-herpetic neuralgia, is to get vaccinated.

Patients with shingles were more likely to be female, as well as to have common risk factors for stroke and heart attack, such as old age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

The researchers noted that this group was also less likely to smoke, as well as have a lower alcohol intake, exercise more, and be part of a higher socioeconomic class in South Korea.

According to this study, the risks for both stroke and MI were highest in the first year after the onset of herpes zoster and then tended to decrease with time.

The lead researcher concluded that biologic plausibility studies are still lacking and further immunopathophysiologic mechanism studies between zoster and cardiovascular diseases are needed.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. There are an estimated 1 million cases of shingles each year in the United States.

Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox may develop shingles; even children can get shingles. However the risk of shingles increases as you get older. About half of all cases occur in men and women 60 years old or older.

People who develop shingles typically have only one episode in their lifetime. However, a person can have a second or even a third episode.

Some people have a greater risk of getting shingles, such as:

• have medical conditions that keep their immune systems from working properly, such as certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• receive immunosuppressive drugs, such as steroids and drugs that are given after organ transplantation

Several antiviral medicines, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, are available to treat shingles. These medicines will help shorten the length and severity of the illness.

To be effective, these medicines must be started as soon as possible after the shingles rash appears.

The current CDC recommended price list for vaccines can be found here.

These researchers reported no financial disclosures of interest.