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Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The common leg problem suffered by millions of Brits that could raise dementia risk by 23%, scientists warn
Treating the condition could cut the risk of vascular dementia by 43 per cent, scientists said LEG UP The common leg problem suffered by millions of Brits that could raise dementia risk by 23%, scientists warn A COMMON leg problem affecting millions of Brits could raise people's risk of developing dementia by 23 per cent, scientists warn. The condition could indicate poor blood flow around the body, a common risk factor of memory-robbing dementia, they said. Advertisement 1 Varicose veins could raise the risk of dementia, researchers have suggested Credit: Getty Varicose veins - swollen, twisted veins that bulge out of the legs - affect at least a third of people in the UK, according to research. Korean researchers combing through the data of almost half a million people found that those with the leg condition were 23.5 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia. The risk was especially high in men and people who smoked or drank heavily, the study - published to the journal PLOS One - showed. Varicose veins happen when the valves that control the blood flow to veins don't work properly, causing blood to build up and put pressure on the vein, which makes it swell and twist. Advertisement They're more common in people who are older, overweight, pregnant, or spend lots of time sitting or standing. "There is growing interest in the function of veins and their relationship with neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia," researchers from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul wrote. Previous studies showed that the vein condition is linked to organ damage - including changes to the white matter in the brain - as well "increased inflammation, potentially triggering neuroinflammatory pathways linked to dementia and vascular cognitive impairment". "Given these potential mechanisms, further investigation into the association between varicose veins and dementia could provide new insights for dementia prevention and management," researchers added. Advertisement For their study, they analysed health data from 396,767 men and women in Korea with an average age of 56. Just over 1 per cent of them - amounting to 5,000 of the participants - had varicose veins. The 14 science-backed ways to prevent dementia Their health outcomes were tracked for an average of 13 years. By that time, 14 per cent of them had been diagnosed with dementia. Researchers found that people who had varicose veins were at higher risk of the memory-robbing condition. Advertisement But patients who had their veins treated were 43 per cent less likely to suffer from vascular dementia compared to those who didn't undergo treatment. Vascular dementia is a common type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. What are varicose veins and how are they treated? Varicose veins are widened veins that look swollen and twisted under the skin. They usually appear on the legs and may feel lumpy and bulge out of the skin. They sometimes cause other symptoms that affect your legs, such as: Pain, aching or a feeling of heaviness Skin changes, such as itching, colour changes or dry, scaly skin Swollen ankles or legs The symptoms may be worse after standing for a long time, and may get better when you rest with your legs up. Varicose veins may get worse without treatment, but this usually happens very slowly over several years. They don't always need treatment, but a GP may refer you for specialist tests if you have pain, heaviness, swollen legs, itching or skin changes or any complications, such as ulcers on your legs. There are several types of treatment that may be offered, including: Procedures to block blood flow in the veins, such as endothermal ablation and foam sclerotherapy Surgery to remove varicose veins Compression stockings Treatment to improve how varicose veins look is not usually available on the NHS if they're not causing any other problems. You may be able to pay for it privately. Source: NHS It's estimated to affect around 180,000 people in the UK. Varicose veins can get slowly worse over time but they don't always need treatment, unless they cause symptoms such as pain, heaviness, swollen legs, itching or skin changes, or complications such as ulcers. Advertisement "In conclusion, our study suggests that the presence of varicose veins may be associated with an increased risk of future all-cause dementia," the research team said. They noted their research had several limitations. Firstly, they couldn't prove that varicose veins were the cause of dementia, only that the two are linked, as their study was observation it was observational. Secondly, the data the scientists used only recorded the presence of varicose veins among patients, not how severe their condition was. Advertisement The authors suggested assessing if patients with worse veins have a greater risk of dementia in future research.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Shingles vaccine lowers heart attack risk for 8 years, says new study: Here's what it means for you
People who have been vaccinated against shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular conditions — with the risk for heart attacks being 22% lower and heart failure 26% lower, according to a large study from South Korea. Importantly, the protective effect of the vaccine lasts for eight years, with the greatest reduction in risks observed between 2 and 3 years after vaccination. The study is based on the insurance data of over 1.2 million people, followed up for six years on average. What is shingles? Shingles is a viral infection that causes painful rashes in stripes across one side of the body. It is caused by the chicken pox virus called varicella-zoster. The disease occurs when the virus gets reactivated years after a bout of chickenpox. A shingles vaccine, recommended for people above 50, can prevent this reactivation by boosting immunity. What did the study find? The study found the risk of overall cardiovascular events was 23% lower in people who had received the vaccine. The risk of a major cardiovascular event was 26% lower, heart failure 26% lower, disorders that affect the blood flow in the brain such as strokes was 24% lower, heart attack was 22% lower, and clotting disorder was 22% lower. 'Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors. This means that vaccination could offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles,' said study author, Professor Dong Keon Yon from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, in a release. Importantly, the study found that the impact was more pronounced in men, those below the age of 60 years, and those with unhealthy lifestyles. How does the vaccine prevent heart attacks? While the mechanism of action is not entirely understood, scientists think it could be because the vaccines prevent shingles, which has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have shown that an infection increased the risk of conditions like heart attack and heart failure by 1.5 to 2 fold. 'A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease. By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks. Our study found stronger benefits in younger people, probably due to a better immune response, and in men, possibly due to differences in vaccine effectiveness,' said Prof Yon. Is shingles vaccine available in India? Who should take it? There are two approved shingles vaccines available across the world — one that uses a live, weakened virus and the second that uses a recombinant technology to develop parts of the virus that do not cause disease. Both vaccines are available in India. Shingles vaccines are recommended for individuals over the age of 50 years, especially those living with conditions that weaken the immune system. Will the newer recombinant vaccine also protect the heart? The Korean study is based on data of people who were administered the older live vaccine. Hence, the researchers say, similar studies would have to be conducted in people who have received the newer vaccine.
Perth Now
06-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Shingles vaccine lowers heart attack and stroke danger
The shingles vaccine reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke for up to eight years. Those given a jab to protect themselves against the painful rash illness had a 23 per cent lower risk of potentially fatal cardiovascular events. The protective effect was particularly noticeable in men, people under the age of 60 and those with poor health habits such as smoking. It was at its most prominent in the first two years after the injection but the impact lasted up to eight years afterwards. Professor Dong Keon Yon, study leader at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in South Korea, said: "There are several reasons why the shingles vaccine may help reduce heart disease. "A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease. "By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks. "However, as this study is based on an Asian cohort, the results may not apply to all populations. "This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years."
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This vaccine lowers risk of heart attack and stroke by 26% — so why was it discontinued in the US?
The nerve! A type of herpes virus — the varicella-zoster virus — causes chickenpox in childhood and shingles later in life. Shingles travels along nerves, triggering a distinctive blistering rash and what some have described as the worst pain they have ever experienced. Advertisement 3 Shingles infections trigger a distinctive blistering rash and intense pain. ryanking999 – A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. Older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those who've had chickenpox are at higher risk of shingles. Experts say vaccination is the most effective way to reduce this risk. Advertisement Now, a new study out of South Korea reports that a certain type of vaccine can offer benefits beyond lowering the risk of shingles — but it's no longer available in the US. The live zoster vaccine, which contains a weakened version of the shingles virus, can lower the risk of heart failure, a stroke, a heart attack or death from heart disease by 26% for up to eight years, according to research published Monday in the European Heart Journal. 'Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors,' said Dong Keon Yon from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul. 'This means that vaccination could offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles.' Advertisement 3 Experts say vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of developing shingles. Getty Images South Korea offers two live zoster vaccines — SkyZoster was approved in 2017 and Zostavax in 2009. The US allowed Zostavax until 2020. Advertisement Researchers found that its effectiveness waned over time and it didn't protect everyone, such as people over 80 and those with weakened immune systems. Studies suggested that Zostavax was 67% effective in the first year but only 50% effective in year 2. It was replaced by Shingrix, a recombinant vaccine that uses a protein from the varicella-zoster virus to activate the body's immune system to recognize and fight the virus. Shingrix has been found to be over 90% effective in preventing shingles. 3 Shingles is most common in older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those who've had chickenpox. Suriyawut – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults 50 and older and immunocompromised adults 19 and older get two doses of Shingrix. Yon's team said more research on the recombinant vaccine is needed to see if it can provide similar cardio benefits as the live zoster vaccine. South Korea also offers Shingrix. Yon's study included data from over 1.2 million adults 50 and over in South Korea. Advertisement The protective effect was strongest in the two to three years after vaccination and especially pronounced in men, people younger than 60 and those who smoke, drink alcohol or avoid exercise. 'This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years,' Yon said. 'For the first time, this has allowed us to examine the association between shingles vaccination and 18 different types of cardiovascular disease,' he added. 'We were able to account for various other health conditions, lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status, making our findings more robust.' Yon noted that the study does not establish a direct causal relationship between the vaccine and the lower risk of heart problems, so underlying factors should be considered.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Shingles vaccine can lower the risk of heart disease, say experts
A recent study from South Korea reveals that the shingles vaccine offers protection beyond preventing the painful rash. Researchers discovered a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like stroke and heart failure in vaccinated individuals. An estimated three to five people out of every 1,000 get shingles each year. Getting a vaccine can reduce the risk. A new study has now revealed that the vaccine can not only prevent you from getting shingles , but also reduce the risk of heart disease . A study by researchers from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Kore,a found that people who took a vaccine for shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events , including stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. The study of more than a million people is published in the European Heart Journal . The study led by Professor Dong Keon Yon found that the protective effect of the vaccine lasts for up to eight years. It is particularly pronounced for men and in those under the age of 60 and with unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and being inactive. 'Shingles causes a painful rash and can lead to serious complications, especially in older adults and those with weak immune systems. Previous research shows that, without vaccination, about 30% of people may develop shingles in their lifetime. In addition to the rash, shingles has been linked to a higher risk of heart problems, so we wanted to find out if getting vaccinated could lower this risk,' Prof Yon said in a statement. The study included 1,271,922 people aged 50 or older. Researchers compiled data from 2012 onward to determine who had received the shingles vaccine and matched it with cardiovascular health records and demographic factors, including age, sex, wealth, and lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity. The vaccine used was a live zoster vaccine , which contains a weakened form of the varicella zoster virus, that causes shingles. In many countries, it is now replaced by a non-live, recombinant vaccine. The study found that in people who got the vaccine, there was a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, with a 26% lower risk of major cardiovascular events (a stroke, heart attack or death from heart disease), a 26% lower risk of heart failure and a 22% lower risk of coronary heart disease. They found that the protective effect was strongest in the two to three years after the shingles vaccine was given, but researchers found that the protection lasted for up to eight years. 'Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors. This means that vaccination could offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles. There are several reasons why the shingles vaccine may help reduce heart disease. A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease. By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks. Our study found stronger benefits in younger people, probably due to a better immune response, and in men, possibly due to differences in vaccine effectiveness,' Professor Yon said. Prince Harry's Legal Defeat Sparks Expert Alarm Over Royal Collapse He also added that this is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over up to 12 years. This is also the first time, the researchers have looked at the association between shingles vaccination and 18 different types of cardiovascular disease. 'We were able to account for various other health conditions, lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status, making our findings more robust. However, as this study is based on an Asian cohort, the results may not apply to all populations. Since the live zoster vaccine is not suitable for everyone, more research on the recombinant vaccine is needed. While we conducted rigorous analysis, this study does not establish a direct causal relationship, so potential bias from other underlying factors should be considered,' he added. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
