Abstract:
Herpes zoster is a common viral disease caused by reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus. It is clinically characterized by a unilateral, clustered vesicular rash, often accompanied by severe neuropathic pain that substantially impairs patients' quality of life. Patients with cardiovascular disease constitute a high-risk population, with a substantially higher incidence of herpes zoster. Furthermore, herpes zoster episodes can trigger or exacerbate major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction and stroke. In China, herpes zoster vaccination coverage remains extremely low, estimated at only 0.1% to 1.0%. In developed countries such as the United States, coverage exceeds 30% in the target population. To promote evidence-based herpes zoster prevention in this high-risk population, this consensus statement systematically evaluates the efficacy, safety, and potential additional cardiovascular benefits of herpes zoster vaccination in patients with cardiovascular disease according to clinical evidence and national and international guidelines. Based on multidisciplinary expert consensus and advances in clinical research in china and abroad, we provide recommendations on vaccination strategies, aiming to reduce the incidence of herpes zoster and the risk of associated cardiovascular complications, thereby improving overall health outcomes in this population.