Shingles for those Under 40 may Increase Stroke Risk

A recent study shows that a young person who catches shingles dramatically increases their risk for heart attack and/or stroke.

Latest study findings showed that 106,601 people who had shingles matched with 213,202 match controls demonstrated an increased risk of mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack by 15 percent, as well as a 10 percent increased heart attack risk.

Researchers followed participants for an average of 6.3 years after they contracted shingles, also accounting for such factors as body mass index (BMI), smoking, cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and other vascular risk factors.

However, background information from the study notes that participants who got shingles before age 40 were up to 74 percent more likely to have a stroke, and 2.4 times more likely to have TIA. Findings also revealed that those with shingles at a young age were 50 percent more likely to have a heart attack.

"Anyone with shingles, and especially younger people, should be screened for stroke risk factors," said lead researcher Dr. Judith Breuer of University College London, via a press release. "The shingles vaccine has been shown to reduce the number of cases of shingles by about 50 percent. Studies are needed to determine whether vaccination can also reduce the incidence of stroke and heart attack. However, what is also clear is that factors that increase the risk of stroke also increase the risk of shingles, so we do not know if vaccinating people can reduce the risk of stroke per se. Current recommendations are that anyone 60 years and older should be vaccinated. The role for vaccination in younger individuals with vascular risk factors needs to be determined."

This painful and contagious rash is caused by the varicella zoster virus, and typically spreads to a small area of the body or face.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Neurology.