A study conducted by South Korean scientists covering millions of people found that the shingles vaccine not only prevents herpes, but also safeguards heart health. Vaccination with this vaccine can reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular disease by 23%, and the protective effect can last for up to 8 years. The relevant paper was published in the European Heart Journal on the 5th. The team from the School of Medicine at Kyung Hee University in South Korea conducted long-term tracking on over 1.27 million Korean residents aged 50 and above. Since 2012, they have systematically collected vaccine information, cardiovascular health data, and influencing factors such as age, gender, and economic status of vaccinated individuals. Data analysis shows that the overall risk of cardiovascular disease in vaccinated individuals has decreased by 23%, with a 26% reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular diseases (stroke, heart attack, or heart disease death), a 26% reduction in the risk of heart failure, and a 22% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. It is particularly noteworthy that the protective effect reaches its peak 2-3 years after vaccination and can last for up to 8 years. The study also found that men, those under 60 years old, and those with unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking benefit more significantly. The herpes zoster virus can cause vascular damage, inflammation, and thrombosis, all of which are triggers of heart disease. Vaccines indirectly cut off this pathogenic chain by preventing infection. According to statistics, about 30% of the unvaccinated population will develop shingles in their lifetime. The team stated that as the largest comprehensive study to date, spanning 12 years, this project has systematically revealed for the first time the association between herpes zoster vaccine and 18 types of cardiovascular diseases. However, this study also has two limitations: firstly, it is based on the Asian population; Secondly, further exploration is needed to determine whether recombinant vaccines have equivalent cardioprotective benefits. (New Society)