Shingles increases your risk of having a stroke

Shingles usually affects someone who has had chickenpox before. If you experience signs and symptoms that suggest shingles, see your doctor immediately for treatment. According to recent research, if shingles is not treated properly, its complications can increase your risk of having an ischemic stroke and heart attack. Here's the explanation.

Shingles at a glance

Herpes zoster (shingles; shingles) is a contagious skin disease caused by the Varicella zoster virus. Symptoms include the appearance of painful fluid-filled bounces, gathering to form a small area on the surface of the skin - similar to chicken pox. The difference is, the resilient collection of the characteristics of herpes zoster is only centered on one side of the face or body.

Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox becomes active again in your body. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus will remain in your body in a "sleeping" state, aka inactive. But in some people, especially those with weak immune systems, this virus can reactivate. Some medications can also trigger the virus to reactivate and cause shingles.

Most people who get shingles will recover and will not get it again, but it is still possible to get shingles more than once.

Untreated shingles can increase the risk of stroke

A British study tried to find out the link between complications of herpes zoster and the risk of stroke and heart attack. Researchers collected data from 42,954 participants diagnosed with herpes zoster and ischemic stroke, as well as 24,237 participants diagnosed with herpes zoster and heart attack. After that they calculated the magnitude of the risk of having a stroke or heart attack within 12 months of being diagnosed with shingles.

Researchers found that people diagnosed with shingles had a 2.4 times increased risk of developing an ischemic stroke and 1.7 times higher for having a heart attack within one week of exposure to shingles. But this risk will gradually decrease after six months from the diagnosis of shingles. The incidence of ischemic stroke and heart attack is not different in individuals who have been vaccinated against herpes zoster or not.

How can shingles cause strokes and heart attacks?

In the body, the varicella zoster virus causes inflammation of blood vessels and nerves. Inflammation of the blood vessels can cause blood clots that may lead to a stroke or heart attack. Inflammation of the nerves can cause intense pain, known as post herpetic neuralgia.

What to do if you have shingles?

Researchers found that shingles treated as quickly as possible with oral antiviral drugs dramatically reduced the risk of stroke and heart attack. Shingles patients who were not treated with antivirals had almost a twofold greater risk of stroke than patients who received treatment.

Researchers advise people with shingles to consult their doctor about antiviral medication. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that everyone 60 years of age or older get the shingles vaccine so that the risk of stroke or heart attack can be prevented.