Shingles in Older Adults May Cause Heart Disease and Stroke
Shingles, or the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, is commonly found in older adults. McKnights reports that a recent study links the prevalence of shingles to a 30 percent increased risk of major cardiovascular diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke and heart attack.
Researchers collected data from several larger studies of healthcare professionals including nurses for 16 years. They monitored the occurrence of shingles, coronary heart disease and stroke.
As per Sharon Curhan, MD, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, individuals who were previously affected by shingles were considered to be at a higher risk for a major cardiovascular event when compared to those who had not been affected by it. Dr. Curhan and her colleagues also stated the increased risk could last for 12 years or longer.