European Society of Cardiology Endorses Vaccination as Key Tool to Prevent Heart Disease

European Society of Cardiology Endorses Vaccination as Key Tool to Prevent Heart Disease

(IN BRIEF) The European Society of Cardiology’s new Clinical Consensus Statement, published on 3 June 2025 in the European Heart Journal, positions vaccination as a core component of cardiovascular prevention. It reviews evidence that infections such as influenza, pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV can worsen heart failure and trigger major adverse cardiovascular events. The statement documents how vaccines interrupt inflammatory pathways to reduce cardiac complications, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. It aligns ESC and ACC/AHA guidelines recommending immunization for individuals with chronic coronary syndromes and heart failure, addresses rare vaccine-associated myocarditis, and offers tailored vaccination schedules for high-risk groups, including pregnant women and transplant recipients. Professor Thomas F. Lüscher emphasizes that vaccination should join lifestyle changes and medications as essential preventive measures.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, 30-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — European Society of Cardiology unveils a new Clinical Consensus Statement highlighting vaccination as a critical strategy to prevent cardiovascular events. Respiratory and bacterial infections—such as pneumonia, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV—can aggravate heart failure and elevate the likelihood of serious cardiac complications. Beyond thwarting infections, immunization also diminishes cardiovascular risks, especially in patients already living with heart disease.

Today’s publication in the European Heart Journal presents comprehensive evidence on how vaccines protect against major adverse cardiovascular events by interrupting infection-triggered inflammatory pathways.1

“Influenza has long been known to heighten the incidence of heart attacks and decompensated heart failure,” stated Professor Thomas F. Lüscher, ESC President and lead author of the consensus statement. “Emerging data confirm that other respiratory pathogens similarly increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Our statement details how targeted vaccination not only prevents infection but also reduces subsequent cardiac events in vulnerable groups.”

The document reviews clinical data on post-infection cardiac complications linked to pneumococcal pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, outlining the underlying inflammatory mechanisms. It then synthesizes findings on vaccine efficacy in lowering cardiovascular incidents among at-risk populations. ESC and ACC/AHA guidelines advocating immunization for patients with chronic coronary syndromes and heart failure are summarized to guide clinical practice.

While serious vaccine reactions remain exceedingly rare, the statement addresses potential cardiovascular adverse events, such as vaccine-associated myocarditis, and recommends management protocols. It also offers evidence-based recommendations on vaccine types and schedules tailored for individuals with cardiovascular disease, pregnant women, heart transplant recipients, and those with congenital heart defects.

“Reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease hinges on preventive measures,” concluded Professor Lüscher. “Collectively, the data support elevating vaccination to a foundational pillar of cardiovascular prevention alongside lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy.”

About the European Society of Cardiology

The ESC brings together healthcare professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people to live longer, healthier lives.

References and notes:

1Heidecker B, Libby P, Vassiliou VS, et al. Vaccination as a new form of cardiovascular prevention: an ESC Clinical Consensus Statement. Eur Heart J. 2025. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf384.

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf384

The ESC Clinical Consensus Statement was created with the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC), the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC) and the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC.

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Tel: +33 6 61 40 18 84
Email: press@escardio.org

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SOURCE: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)