343. Having shingles increases the risk of heart disease and stroke
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Shingles is a condition in which you develop a painful rash that lasts a few weeks. A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows that having shingles increases the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston analyzed data from over 200,000 adults. They found that for a first stroke, the risk is up to 38 percent higher among people with a history of shingles compared to people with no history of shingles. The risk of coronary heart disease was 25 percent higher. Most people who get shingles are over 50, having had chickenpox as children. The researchers argue that their findings show that getting the shingles vaccine could reduce the risk of later cardiovascular complications.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
