Shingles increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster or herpes zoster, especially in those under 40, increases the risk of stroke or heart attack later in life.

In patients over 40 years old, shingles increases the risk of heart attack by 10%. Photo: ALAMY

A study of nearly 320,000 people showed that the association appears to be particularly clear in those who experienced shingles between the ages of 18 and 40.

People under 40 who are infected with the virus have a 74% increased risk of stroke and a 50% increased risk of heart attack.

Shingles also increases the risk of transient ischemic attack (TIA) – also known as a "mini-stroke" – by 2.4 times compared to people who have never had it.

In patients over 40 years old, shingles increases the risk of heart attack by 10%.

However, the actual number of people affected was quite low; only 0.21% of those in the study who had shingles suffered a stroke.

The study also could not determine whether shingles is a direct cause of stroke or heart attack.

However, Dr. Judith Breuer, a virologist at University College London, suggests that patients who have had shingles should be monitored more closely for the risk of stroke.

"It is unclear whether factors that increase the risk of stroke also increase the risk of shingles, and therefore whether vaccination reduces the risk of stroke."

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster or herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus lying dormant in the nerve root cells of the body.

Years after recovering from chickenpox, the virus can recur, creating clusters of red blisters and sores.

It stings when touched.

The disease often strikes when a person is stressed or has other illnesses that weaken their immune system.

The chickenpox vaccine has been shown to reduce the number of shingles cases by approximately 50%. Current recommendations suggest that people aged 60 and older should be vaccinated. The role of vaccination in younger individuals with cardiovascular risk factors needs to be determined.

According to dantri.com