2026, Supplement 1
Cardiovasc Metab Sci 2026; 37 (S1)
Cardiovascular immunization: a multisociety expert consensus on vaccination as a strategy for cardiovascular prevention in high-risk adults in Mexico
Parcero-Valdés, Juan José; Zaragoza-Cortes, Carlos; Narváez-Oriani, Carlos; Pavia-López, Abel; Ponte-Negretti, Carlos; Alcocer-Díaz-Barreiro, Luis; Medrano-Ahumada, Salvador; Bazán-Pérez, Carlos; Zúñiga-Gil, Clemente; Arias, Alexandra; Altamirano-Cardoso, Esmeralda; Sierra-Fernández, Carlos; Magaña-Serrano, Antonio; Secchi-Nicolás, Nikos Christo
ABSTRACT
Introduction: acute viral and selected non-respiratory infections, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and herpes zoster, are increasingly recognized as important triggers of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure decompensation. Infection-related systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, and prothrombotic responses may destabilize atherosclerotic plaques and precipitate cardiovascular complications. Objective: to provide evidence-based recommendations for vaccination strategies in adults with cardiovascular disease as part of comprehensive cardiovascular prevention. The concept of cardiovascular immunization represents an emerging paradigm in preventive cardiology, integrating infection prevention with traditional cardiovascular risk reduction strategies. Material and methods: this expert consensus was developed by a multidisciplinary panel of specialists in cardiology, internal medicine, infectious diseases, and geriatrics under the auspices of AMPAC and ANCAM. A structured literature review of randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, observational studies, and international clinical practice guidelines was performed, focusing on vaccines against influenza, pneumococcus, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpes zoster. Results: influenza vaccination has the strongest evidence for cardiovascular protection and is recommended as a class I intervention in patients with cardiovascular disease, supported by randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses demonstrating reductions in cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events.Additional vaccines—including pneumococcal, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpes zoster—may further reduce infection-related cardiovascular complications, particularly in older adults and high-risk populations. Conclusions: vaccination should be considered an essential component of comprehensive cardiovascular prevention strategies in patients with cardiovascular disease. Integrating immunization into routine cardiovascular care may reduce infection-triggered cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and healthcare burden.