Herpes Zoster and Cardiovascular Disease: Exploring Associations and Preventive Measures through Vaccination

Abstract

Herpes zoster, induced by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is a unilaterally distributed vesicular rash that can cause multiple complications. VZV not only causes neurological problems, including postherpetic neuralgia and ocular zoster, but also causes inflammatory vasculopathy and increases the incidence of hemorrhagic or ischemic complications. Therefore, understanding the association between the development of herpes zoster and the subsequent occurrence of acute stroke or cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction and heart failure, is of great interest. Conversely, many risk factors are involved in the development of herpes zoster. Recently, it has become clear that aging, insufficient immune function, and diseases related to lifestyle habits (for example, stroke and cardiovascular disease), can trigger the onset of herpes zoster. Preventing the onset of herpes zoster, which substantially reduces quality of life, will lead to lower medical costs for countries and extend healthy life expectancy for general populations. Thus, because herpes zoster is a vaccine-preventable disease, active vaccination is recommended for high-risk groups. This review summarizes the association between herpes zoster and cardiovascular disease and vaccination against herpes zoster as a useful disease management and prevention measure for cardiovascular disease.