Shingles increases the risk of heart disease and stroke

A new study by British scientists published on Neurology on January 2 shows that people who suffer from neurological shingles at a young age are at a higher risk of having a stroke or heart disease. after that.

In the study, Dr. Judith Breuer of University College London (UCL) and colleagues analyzed and compared data from 106,000 shingles patients, along with 213,200 people who were not infected with this skin infection virus. Accordingly, scientists found a link between neuropathy and the risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke.

People between the ages of 18 and 40 with shingles are 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who don't. In addition, people with shingles at a young age are also at risk of a mild stroke, 2.4 times higher than those who do not. Meanwhile, in patients over 40, shingles increases the risk of heart disease by 10%.

However, the study results also show that the number affected is really low, with only 0.21% of people in the study area had shingles and then had a stroke. Despite this, Dr. Breuer, UCL's virologist and head of the study, said that people with shingles, especially young people, should undergo regular medical examinations to prevent the risk of stroke.

Ms. Breuer also emphasized that more research is needed to see if the use of anti-shingles vaccines helps reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease in patients.

According to health statistics, about 250,000 people in the UK suffer from shingles each year, while anti-shingles vaccines have so far reduced only 50% of cases.