Are Covid Vaccines Linked to Sudden Deaths and Heart Attacks?

Bengaluru, July 7 (NationPress) Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated on Monday that there is no adverse effect of Covid vaccines regarding sudden deaths or heart attack incidents within the state.

"There is no basis for such assertions. Comprehensive studies are available globally and within India, and an investigative committee formed by the government has conducted its own analysis. They concluded that there is no link between Covid vaccination and these sudden fatalities," Gundu Rao informed the press at Vidhana Soudha after receiving an investigative report concerning sudden cardiovascular deaths and their potential connection to Covid-19 infection and vaccination.

When questioned about the rise in heart attack occurrences, particularly in Hassan district, he clarified that the situation there is distinct. "A report on the Hassan district cases will be presented on July 10. Following that, we will engage in discussions," he mentioned.

In response to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s previous comments relating the early administration of the Covid vaccine to heart attacks, the minister remarked: "The CM was precise. While addressing the sudden deaths among the youth due to heart attacks, he merely raised the question of whether there could be a connection between Covid or the Covid vaccine and these fatalities."

"Furthermore, this matter is already in public discussion. The CM rightly expressed concern and advocated for a study in this regard," he added.

"There is no cause for alarm among the public. We sought the truth, which is why we established the committee. Otherwise, what would be the purpose of forming a committee? This initiative has illuminated matters. We now have a better understanding of the causes of sudden deaths. Our objective was to reveal the truth," Gundu Rao stated.

Providing context, he mentioned that three months ago, he had referred the issue concerning the health impacts of Covid and the vaccine, particularly due to a noticeable rise in sudden deaths among younger individuals.

"We sought thorough research and analysis, thus we requested a report. The committee was formed under the leadership of Dr. K. S. Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, along with other specialists from various centers," he explained.

The committee investigated the matter and reported a 4 to 5 percent rise in deaths attributed to heart attacks when comparing the periods before and after Covid. However, the minister clarified that this increase cannot be directly linked to either Covid infection or the vaccine.

The rise was attributed to multiple factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. During the initial six months to a year of the Covid period, there was a higher prevalence of heart disease. However, over three years later, such cases have significantly diminished. "As far as the Covid vaccine is concerned, there is no adverse effect," he reaffirmed.

The committee put forth various recommendations, one of which is that all sudden deaths occurring outside of hospitals for individuals under the age of 45 should be officially recorded, along with conducting an autopsy for further investigation.

Another key recommendation is for early heart disease screening. "We propose cardiac evaluations for 10th-grade students aged 15. If there are indicators of congenital or early-onset heart disease, preventive measures can be implemented," he stated.

Health screenings will also be carried out for government employees, and private enterprises will be encouraged to facilitate annual health checkups for their workforce, he added.

"We can avert heart attacks and heart disease by incorporating topics related to lifestyle, processed food consumption, physical activity, and screen time into the educational curriculum. CPR training will also be included," Gundu Rao concluded.