A recent investigation commissioned by the Karnataka government has found no direct link between COVID-19 vaccination and the increasing cases of sudden cardiac deaths among young adults in the state. The study, led by Dr. KS Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, was submitted to the government on July 2nd. This conclusion comes amidst growing public concern and media reports linking the two, particularly following a surge in such deaths in the Hassan district.
The expert committee's report followed a two-month pilot study conducted between April and May of this year, involving 251 patients aged 45 and below who were admitted to Jayadeva Hospital with coronary artery disease. While a vast majority of the patients (249 out of 251) had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 19 reported past COVID-19 infection, the committee found no evidence suggesting these factors directly contributed to heart attacks or sudden cardiac deaths.
The geographical distribution of the cases revealed that a significant portion (47%) originated from Bengaluru, with smaller percentages from other districts in Karnataka, including Tumkur (8%), Mandya, Kolar, and Ramanagara (5% each), and a combined 22% from other districts. Patients from outside of Karnataka comprised 5% of the study sample.
The committee emphasized that their findings align with global studies indicating that vaccines are, in fact, protective against severe cardiovascular outcomes. Dr. Ravindranath also pointed to the Jayadeva Hospital's ongoing Premature Cardiac registry, which allowed for a comparison between pre- and post-COVID data. This comparison revealed a 5-6% increase in conventional risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and smoking post-COVID, suggesting a shift in health trends.
Instead of attributing the rise in cardiac events to vaccination or the virus itself, the report highlighted a worrying trend: many young patients lacked traditional risk factors such as diabetes or hypertension. The panel suggested exploring newer mechanisms, possibly related to lifestyle. The study categorically states: "There is no single cause behind the observed rise in sudden cardiac deaths; it appears to be a multi-factorial issue with behavior, genetic and environmental risks".
Furthermore, the expert panel addressed claims linking "long COVID" or vaccines to sudden deaths in young adults, debunking these assertions. They referenced global evidence indicating that vaccines provide long-term protection against heart issues. While a short-term increase in cardiac events was observed after COVID-19 infection due to inflammation, the long-term impact (beyond one year) was found to be negligible.
In response to the initial concerns and a reported surge in heart attack cases and deaths in the Hassan district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had formed the expert committee to investigate the potential link to COVID-19 vaccines. The Union government also addressed the issue, referencing ICMR studies that found no connection between COVID-19 vaccines and heart attacks. The current consensus points towards a combination of behavioral, genetic, and environmental factors, along with lifestyle changes during the pandemic, as potential drivers of the increased cardiovascular burden. The panel called for a public health strategy including a robust surveillance system for sudden cardiac deaths, particularly among young people.
