23 deaths in 40 days: Karnataka's heart attack cases fuel COVID-19 vaccine fears, but ICMR finds no link; here's what experts say
Following the incident, the chief minister formed a team of experts, led by Dr. Ravindranath from the Jayadeva Institute, to find out what could be the cause behind the spike in heart attack deaths. On the other hand, another troubling concern is the age group, as most of them were young or middle-aged people.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday clarified that no link has been found between the COVID-19 vaccines and the surge in sudden deaths due to heart attacks.
In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been…
ICMR and AIIMS studies find no link between the COVID-19 vaccine and heart attacks
The health ministry cited extensive studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the sudden deaths among adults.
Issuing a statement, the ministry noted, 'Extensive studies by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and AIIMS on sudden deaths among adults post-COVID have conclusively established no linkage between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths. Studies by ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have affirmed that COVID-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects."
Heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions, can occur in individuals who appear healthy, often due to a combination of underlying factors that may not be immediately evident.
In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been…
Can COVID-19 vaccines trigger heart attacks among young adults?
Research by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and AIIMS found no direct link between COVID-19 vaccines and the recent surge in sudden cardiac deaths. 'An analysis of 250 heart attack-related deaths in India ruled out vaccines as a primary cause, consistent with global data from the CDC and WHO. COVID-19 infection itself poses a higher risk of heart complications, with infection-related myocarditis being 5-15 times more common than vaccine-related cases. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe COVID-19, indirectly protecting against heart damage,' says Dr. Basavaraj Utagi, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Cunningham Road.
Lifestyle factors play a major role
A major contributing factor is atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque accumulates in the arteries, leading to narrowing and reduced blood flow to the heart. 'This can occur even in individuals who appear healthy, as underlying issues like high cholesterol or elevated blood pressure may go undetected,' explains Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of Cardiology at Gleneagles Hospital Parel.
According to Dr. Utagi, 'Lifestyle factors are likely contributing to the spike in cardiac deaths, including psychosocial stress, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking, and pollution exposure. Urbanisation has increased access to processed foods, leading to obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.'
Rapid urbanisation has exposed a significant proportion of India's population to these risk factors, increasing heart disease risk. 'Chronic stress from fast-paced urban life also elevates cortisol and blood pressure. These factors, rather than vaccines, are likely driving the surge in cardiac problems and deaths,' he adds.
COVID-19 vaccines and heart health
Vaccination remains crucial in preventing severe COVID-19 and its complications. Addressing lifestyle factors and urbanisation-related health risks is essential to mitigating the cardiac disease burden.
'Heart attacks can occur in seemingly healthy people due to various factors such as atherosclerosis, stress, genetics, lifestyle habits, and hidden medical conditions. Staying informed about your health and having regular medical check-ups are key to prevention,' advises Dr. Gupta.
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