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Feb. 12, 2026—Here's something you might not know about vaccines: Some of them can help protect your heart. That's because they help prevent illnesses that researchers say may boost the risk of heart trouble. In some cases, we're talking about common and preventable viruses that show up from year to year.

Here are some of the infections that have been linked to heart problems, along with brief information about vaccines for them. Your doctor can help you decide which vaccines may be right for you.

Flu and COVID-19. A review of 155 previously published studies in the Journal of the American Heart Association found a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes in the weeks following flu or COVID-19 infections, reported the American Heart Association. Compared to their risk when they did not have these infections, research participants were:

• Four times more likely to have a heart attack in the month after getting the flu.
• Five times more likely to have a stroke in the month after getting the flu.
• Three times more likely to have a stroke or a heart attack within 14 weeks (about 3.5 months) after testing positive for COVID-19. For this group, their raised risk stayed elevated for up to a year.

A possible explanation: The researchers noted that the body responds to infections by releasing molecules that promote inflammation and a tendency for blood to clot. Inflammation and clotting can play a role in cardiovascular disease.

Who should get these shots: Virtually everyone 6 months of age and older should get a yearly flu shot. And everyone should keep current on COVID-19 vaccines, advises the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Shingles. Shingles is a common infection triggered by the same virus (varicella-zoster) that causes chickenpox. One of the worst parts about shingles is the painful rash it often causes.

But there could be more: The same review of studies connecting the flu and COVID-19 to heart problems found a 12% higher risk of heart attacks and an 18% higher risk of stroke among people with shingles. And these higher risks lingered well after infection.

A separate study of 174,000 U.S. adults suggests that getting the shingles vaccine is heart protective, reported the Infectious Diseases Society of America. It found that those who got the shingles vaccine had a 25% lower risk of heart attacks or strokes, compared to those who got the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against a type of bacterial pneumonia.

Who should get this shot: Two doses of the shingles vaccine are recommended for people 50 and older. Younger adults with a weakened immune system should also get the shingles vaccine.

Diphtheria. This disease can cause serious complications, including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and heart failure. Up to 2 out of 3 people with respiratory diphtheria develop myocarditis, according to UpToDate.

Who should get this shot: The DTaP vaccine combines protection from diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. It is recommended for babies. But older children and adults should receive a booster shot every 10 years.

Heart disease makes vaccinations even more important

If you already have heart disease, staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines is especially important. The American College of Cardiology says people with heart disease should be vaccinated against:

• Flu.
• COVID-19.
• Pneumonia.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a common respiratory virus.
• Shingles.

Heart disease makes it harder for your body to fight these infections, most of which make it harder to breathe. That puts extra strain on the heart. And if you do get infected, you can be more likely than other people to have a complication such as hospitalization, heart attack and even death.

Getting vaccinated can help reduce these risks by helping you avoid getting sick in the first place.

Sources

• AARP. "Flu, COVID and Other Infections Can Increase Heart Attack and Stroke Risk." https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/infections-increase-heart-attack-stroke-risk/.
• American College of Cardiology. "American College of Cardiology Issues Vaccine Guidance for Adults With Heart Disease." https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2025/08/26/13/46/American-College-of-Cardiology-Issues-Vaccine-Guidance-for-Adults-with-Heart-Disease.
• American Heart Association. "RSV and Heart Health." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/rsv.
• American Heart Association. "Shingles and Heart Health." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/shingles.
• American Heart Association. "Some Acute and Chronic Viral Infections May Increase the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease." https://newsroom.heart.org/news/some-acute-and-chronic-viral-infections-may-increase-the-risk-of-cardiovascular-disease.
• American Hospital Association. "Study Finds Flu, COVID-19 Infection Temporarily Raises Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke." https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-10-30-study-finds-flu-covid-19-infection-temporarily-raises-risk-heart-attack-stroke.
• Infectious Diseases Society of America. "Shingles Vaccine Lowers Risk of Dementia, Major Cardiovascular Events." https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2025/shingles-vaccine-lowers-risk-of-dementia-major-cardiovascular-events/.
• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. "A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Includes Vaccination." https://www.nfid.org/a-heart-healthy-lifestyle-includes-vaccination/.
• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. "Vaccines and Heart Disease." https://www.nfid.org/immunization/vaccines-and-heart-disease/.
• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. "Vaccines and Heart Health: A Vital Connection. " https://www.nfid.org/vaccines-and-heart-health-a-vital-connection/.
• UpToDate. "Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Diphtheria." https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-diphtheria/print.