No link between Covid vaccines, heart attacks in adults, claims Centre; study blames lifestyle and pre-existing conditions
PTC Web Desk: Amid growing public anxiety over the sudden rise in heart attacks among young adults, especially those under 40, two major national studies have dismissed fears linking Covid-19 vaccines to unexplained premature deaths. According to extensive research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there is no conclusive evidence to support claims that Covid-19 vaccines increase the risk of sudden cardiac deaths in healthy individuals.
The studies were prompted by a noticeable spike in sudden deaths, particularly in the age group of 18 to 45 years, and widespread concerns that these might be connected to the vaccination campaign. However, findings from both ICMR and AIIMS have firmly ruled out such a correlation.
The first study, titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – A multicentric matched case-control study,” was conducted between May and August 2023 across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union Territories. It focused on individuals who had appeared to be in good health but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023.
In parallel, AIIMS New Delhi conducted a second study, “Establishing the cause of sudden unexplained deaths in young,” funded and supported by ICMR. Both research efforts examined a range of medical, genetic, and lifestyle factors in young adults who died unexpectedly.
The conclusion was unanimous: Covid-19 vaccines were not responsible for these deaths. Instead, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, substance use, and underlying health conditions — often undiagnosed — were found to be the real culprits. In some cases, post-Covid complications were also observed as contributing factors.
A statement from the Union Health Ministry reiterated the scientific consensus, stating: “Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-Covid complications. There is no evidence linking these to Covid-19 vaccination.”
The clarification comes shortly after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suggested that the swift approval and rollout of Covid vaccines may have contributed to rising sudden death cases among the youth. His statement followed reports of at least 20 cardiac-related deaths in the past month from Hassan district alone. In response, Siddaramaiah announced a panel to investigate the potential side effects of Covid-19 vaccines.
The Union Health Ministry, however, strongly refuted the speculations, warning that such unfounded statements risk undermining public trust in vaccines. “Speculative claims without conclusive evidence risk undermining public confidence in vaccines, which have played a crucial role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. Such unfounded reports and claims could strongly contribute to vaccine hesitancy in the country, thereby adversely impacting public health,” it added.
The ministry has urged the public and political leaders to rely on verified scientific research rather than conjecture, especially on matters concerning public health and safety.
- With inputs from agencies
