Cardiologist: Here’s How Vaccines Help Protect Your Heart

Vaccines are commonly associated with preventing infectious diseases, but medical experts say their benefits extend beyond the immune system. Growing evidence shows that vaccines also play an important role in protecting heart health.

“Many people do not realize that infections such as the flu, RSV, shingles, or COVID-19 can impact your heart health,” explains Heather Johnson, M.D., preventive cardiologist with the Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health. However, “vaccines can actually help protect your heart,” she adds.

The Link Between Infection and Heart Health

When the body fights an infection, it triggers inflammation — a natural immune response meant to help heal. However, that inflammatory response can also put stress on the cardiovascular system. For people with existing heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity, that added stress can increase the risk of serious heart-related complications.

“These infections can increase your risk for heart attack, hospitalizations, and result in long-term complications,” Dr. Johnson explains in a recent Baptist Health Instagram reel.

Infections like influenza and COVID-19 are known to raise heart rate, increase oxygen demand, and worsen inflammation throughout the body. In some individuals, this can destabilize plaque in the arteries, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes. Viral infections can also worsen heart failure symptoms or lead to prolonged recovery periods, particularly in older adults.

Why Vaccines Matter for Cardiovascular Protection

Vaccines work by preventing infection in the first place or reducing the severity of illness. By limiting the body’s exposure to severe infection and inflammation, vaccines help reduce the strain placed on the heart.

“The good news is that vaccines can help lower those risks,” Dr. Johnson says. “They also help to reduce heart events associated with these infections.”

Multiple studies have shown that people who receive recommended vaccines — particularly the flu and COVID-19 vaccines — are less likely to experience cardiovascular events related to infection. Preventing illness helps reduce the chances of hospitalization, prolonged inflammation, and stress on the heart and blood vessels.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While vaccines are important for everyone, certain groups face higher cardiovascular risks if they develop serious infections. These include individuals with:

• Heart disease or heart failure
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Weakened immune systems
• Advanced age

For these individuals, even a moderate infection can become a serious health event. In some cases, infections can trigger complications that accelerate underlying heart disease.

“Skipping vaccines can trigger heart events in individuals with other health conditions,” Dr. Johnson says.

Common Infections That Can Affect the Heart

Several vaccine-preventable illnesses are linked to increased cardiovascular risk:

• Influenza (Flu): Flu infections can significantly raise the risk of heart attacks, especially during the first week of illness.
• COVID-19: COVID-19 can affect the heart directly and indirectly, increasing inflammation and the risk of blood clots, heart rhythm issues, and heart failure complications.
• RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus can be serious in older adults and those with heart disease, leading to hospitalization and worsened cardiac symptoms.
• Shingles: Shingles has been associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart attack, particularly in older adults.

Vaccines help protect against these infections, lowering the chance that the heart will be affected during or after illness.

Vaccines as Part of Preventive Heart Care

Preventive cardiology focuses on reducing risk before heart disease develops or worsens. Vaccination is increasingly recognized as part of that strategy, alongside lifestyle changes and medical management.

Heart-healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, managing stress, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol remain essential. Vaccines complement these efforts by reducing preventable threats to cardiovascular health.

“The good news is that vaccines can help lower those risks,” Dr. Johnson emphasizes.

Addressing Questions and Concerns

Some people hesitate to get vaccinated due to concerns about side effects or uncertainty about benefits. Cardiologists and primary care providers encourage patients to discuss these concerns openly and review the evidence together.

Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and ongoing safety monitoring. For most people, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, especially when considering the potential cardiovascular complications linked to serious infections.

Staying Up to Date Matters

Vaccination recommendations may vary based on age, medical history, and risk factors. Annual flu vaccines, updated COVID-19 boosters, and age-appropriate vaccines for RSV and shingles are commonly recommended for adults, particularly those with heart disease or risk factors.

Healthcare providers can help patients understand which vaccines are appropriate for them and when they should be received.

“So, protect your immune system and your heart,” Dr. Johnson advises. “Talk to your healthcare team about staying current on your vaccinations.”