Latest news with #K.S.Ravindranath
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
No direct correlation between cardiovascular events and COVID-19 exposure and vaccination: Study
A pilot observational study by the State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) has not found any association between premature cardiovascular disease and a prior history of COVID-19 infection, or COVID vaccination. Amid mounting public anxiety over the rising trend of sudden cardiovascular events (heart attack, sudden cardiac death) post-COVID-19 pandemic, the Karnataka government had in February this year set up an expert committee headed by Jayadeva Director K. S. Ravindranath to evaluate the temporal and potential causal links with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination. The cross-sectional study involving 251 patients, including 32 females, aged below 45 years, was aimed at presenting evidence-based insights, identifying risk factors, and proposing recommendations for surveillance and prevention. The committee submitted its report to Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare on July 4. Under-recognised mechanisms 'Although conventional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking, remain prevalent in a majority of the 251 patients, a significant minority of patients presented with none of these, suggesting the possible involvement of novel or under-recognized mechanisms,' Dr Ravindranath told The Hindu. According to the report, while 87 of the patients were diabetic, 102 were hypertensive, 35 were having cholesterol disorder, 40 had family history of heart diseases, 111 were smokers, and 77 patients did not have any of the conventional risk factors. As many as 19 out of 251 patients had a history of previous COVID-19 infection. Of the 19, seven each had diabetes and hypertension, two had a family history, eight had no risk factors. Almost all (249) of the 251 patients had been vaccinated against COVID. While 53 received only one dose, 180 received two doses, and 17 received all three doses of a vaccine. As many as 144 had been vaccinated with Covishield, 64 with Covaxin, and 52 were unaware of which vaccine they had received. Comparative data To compare the risk factor profile of similar premature coronary artery disease patients prior to the pandemic, the team used data from the institute's Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) among the young registry maintained at the institute between April 1, 2019 and May 31, 2019. As the PCAD registry was maintained for patients aged under 40 years, a subset of patients from the present study aged below 40 years were grouped and compared with the 2019 age and sex-matched population. Analysing all national and international peer reviewed scientific literature, journal articles, clinical studies and clinical registries to study the possible association of sudden cardiovascular events with past history of COVID-19 infection and vaccination, the Jayadeva committee noted that most studies and reports published globally have also not found any causal association between COVID vaccination and sudden cardiovascular events. 'On the contrary, COVID vaccination has been shown to be protective against cardiac events in the long term,' the report stated. No single cause 'Our study has not found any single cause behind the observed rise in sudden cardiac deaths. Rather, it appears to be a multi-factorial issue, with behavioural, genetic, and environmental risks. While in the immediate post-COVID phase, there is an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular events due to a pro-inflammatory state, the same cannot be held to be true in the long term (>1 year). It has been three years since the end of the pandemic,' Dr Ravindranath said. He said current data does not support the belief that 'long COVID' is responsible for the rise in sudden cardiovascular events among the young. 'Rather, a rise in the prevalence of the common risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease (hypertension, diabetes, smoking , dyslipidemia) is the best explanation for the rise in sudden cardiovascular events. In light of these findings, a multi-faceted public health strategy is essential,' he asserted. Recommendations Pointing out that the strategy should include establishing a robust surveillance system for sudden cardiac deaths, particularly among young adults, the Jayadeva director said implementing autopsy-based registries and integrating early cardiovascular screening at the school level is vital. 'Importantly, large-scale, prospective, multicentric studies are needed to better delineate the long-term cardiovascular effects of both COVID-19 infection and vaccination,' he explained. Recommendations
The Print
4 days ago
- Health
- The Print
BJP calls Siddaramaiah ‘anti-science' for linking cardiac-related deaths in Hassan to COVID vaccines
In the past month alone, at least 20 people have died due to heart-attacks in Hassan district, about 200 km from Bengaluru. He also announced the formation of a panel of experts to probe the deaths. Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Tuesday suggested that COVID-19 vaccines may be linked to a string of cardiac-related fatalities in the southern state. Siddaramaiah in a post on X wrote: 'It cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that COVID vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of 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… — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 1, 2025 The chief minister said he has ordered the formation of a committee of experts, led by the chief of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research, Dr K.S. Ravindranath, to identify the cause of the deaths. The committee has been asked to submit a report within 10 days. 'Orders were given to this same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study into the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the COVID vaccines could have any adverse effects. In this regard, the process of examining and analysing heart patients is also underway,' Siddaramaiah said. Adding, 'Before the BJP criticises us on this matter, they should ask their conscience.' The BJP in Karnataka has defended the COVID-19 vaccines, giving credit to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government, for the quick development and distribution in several other countries. 'We are fully committed to finding the true cause of the sudden series of deaths in Hassan district and across the state and to preventing them,' Siddaramaiah said. Also read: Two years of governance 'paralysis' in Karnataka as CM Siddaramaiah focuses on saving chair 'Questioning vaccine is anti-science, anti-people' The deaths in Hassan took a political turn with the Opposition in Karnataka accusing the ruling party of deflecting attention rather than taking responsibility for the deaths. 'Instead of providing answers to grieving families, CM @siddaramaiah is indulging in dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric, blaming COVID vaccines, approved by global health authorities and administered worldwide, without a shred of scientific evidence from their side. This is not leadership. This is cowardice,' R. Ashok, the Leader of the Opposition said in a post on X. 'To now use these tragedies to cast doubts on the vaccine and shift accountability is both anti-science and anti-people,' he added. It is deeply unfortunate that even as over twenty lives have been lost to sudden heart attacks in just one district alone, the @INCKarnataka government is more interested in deflecting blame than in taking responsibility. Instead of providing answers to grieving families, CM… — R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) July 1, 2025 Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP, asking them not to politicise the issue. 'We too value the lives of children, youth, and innocent people who have their entire lives ahead of them, and we share the concerns of their families. I condemn the actions of BJP leaders who are using such matters for their political gains,' he said. The deaths being reported in Hassan have added to the problems of the Siddaramaiah-led government that has faced allegations of mismanagement of healthcare in the past as well. The state government undertook re-testing of all 192 batches of an IV fluid after the deaths of four pregnant women in Ballari in December last year. Of the batches of the IV-based drug, Ringer Lactate solution IV fluid—procured from a West Bengal-based company, Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Ltd—22 had failed. Between 9 and 11 November, there were four maternal deaths reported at the District Hospital in Ballari, about 320 km from Bengaluru. At the time, Karnataka health minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, had said of the 34 patients who had the procedures, seven suffered severe complications and four women died. The Opposition claimed that the death toll was higher. Post the incident, the government attempted to restructure current procedures in its medical facilities, including tendering and auditing of maternal deaths in the immediate past to probe if any of them were caused by sub-standard or contaminated drugs and bringing the state drugs control department under food safety. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: In firefighting mode, Surjewala draws party line—no discussion on change of guard in Karnataka
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
No cause for panic over heart attacks, say experts, as State-appointed panel begins probe over Hassan deaths
Amid mounting public anxiety following the reported surge in heart attack deaths in Hassan district, health experts and government authorities have urged the public not to give heed to scare mongers and panic. Stressing that heart attacks are not communicable diseases, doctors said unlike viral outbreaks that spread from person to person, heart attacks result from individual health factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and pre-existing medical conditions. While the government's decision to form an expert committee, headed by K.S. Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, is a precautionary step to study local patterns and possible triggers, experts emphasised that such incidents are neither new nor unique to one region, and align with trends seen across the country. Surge in patients Public anxiety has led to a surge in outpatient visits at all the three units of Jayadeva — Bengaluru, Mysuru and Kalaburagi. 'The media reports have created panic and anxiety among people. We are seeing a 20% rise in the number of people seeking cardiac evaluations and there is a huge rush of patients in our OPDs,' said Dr. Ravindranath. 'As most of the 18 deaths occurred at home, we have started verbal autopsies to assess the underlying factors and if there were any triggers. We will examine what caused these deaths, whether there were other unreported cases, and if this pattern is isolated to Hassan or more widespread,' he said. C.N. Manjunath, Bengaluru Rural MP and former director of Jayadeva, said, 'Unlike outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19, dengue, or influenza, which spread through air, water, or physical contact, heart attacks are triggered by a complex interplay of individual risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and genetic predisposition. Similar cases of sudden cardiac deaths among young and middle-aged individuals have been documented across India over the years.' Reiterating that there is no need to panic, Dr. Manjunath said instead the public should focus on routine health check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and timely medical intervention for known risk factors. No specific pattern Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, said there is no specific pattern or data suggesting a spike in heart attack deaths in any particular region. 'Following media reports and public anxiety, we have formed the committee to study the Hassan deaths and find out if there is any specific reason. Based on the committee's reports, we will decide on whether we need to initiate any measures in the district, or if reporting methods have to be modified,' he said. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also said setting up the committee is a proactive, precautionary measure aimed at studying any local patterns or environmental factors that may be contributing to the deaths. 'We have to see if the ratio is similar or if these cases from Hassan are unique. Based on the committee's report, we will decide whether there is need to declare cardiac deaths as a notifiable disease,' he added.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Jayadeva hospital in Bengaluru gets new cathlab worth ₹7 crore
The State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences in Bengaluru got a new cathlab worth ₹7 crore under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The new Cathlab, donated by the ICICI Foundation as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, was inaugurated by Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on May 31. Apart from Jayadeva Director K. S. Ravindranath, several representatives of ICICI Foundation, including Venkatesh B.K., Head of Operations – Pan India, S. Girish, Regional Head – South India, and Tripthi Pradhan, Zonal Head – Health Care Ecosystem, were part of the inaugural event.
