A government-appointed expert committee investigating a recent spike in heart attack deaths in Karnataka has found no link between prior COVID-19 infection or vaccination and premature cardiovascular disease. In fact, the panel concluded that COVID-19 vaccination may actually offer long-term protection against heart-related issues.
The state government had formed this committee, led by Dr. C.N. Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, after over 20 people in Hassan district reportedly died of sudden heart attacks earlier this year.
The committee submitted its report on July 2, stating clearly that current data does not support theories blaming long COVID-19 or vaccination for the rise in sudden cardiac events, especially among young adults.
“The rise in sudden heart problems is more likely due to traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and high cholesterol,” the report said.
An observational study conducted at Jayadeva Hospital as part of the investigation examined 251 patients under the age of 45 who were admitted with heart issues between April 1 and May 31, 2025. Each patient was interviewed in detail, and their past COVID-19 history and vaccination status were reviewed, including the type of vaccine received, number of doses, any side effects, and hospitalisations.
The findings showed no connection between heart attacks and either prior COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 vaccines. Instead, they noted that many patients already had well-known heart disease risk factors. However, the report did point out that a small number of patients had no such risk factors, raising the possibility that newer or lesser-known causes may also be at play.
The expert team also acknowledged that in the immediate months following a COVID-19 infection, there can be a slightly higher risk of heart events due to inflammation in the body. But since the pandemic ended over three years ago, this is no longer a relevant factor for current cases, the committee noted.
Their findings come in response to recent comments by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had suggested a possible link between COVID-19 vaccines and heart attack deaths in Hassan. He also said that vaccines were “hastily approved,” triggering backlash from health experts and industry leaders, including Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
The committee’s report clarified that global studies also have not found any reliable evidence linking COVID-19 vaccination to sudden cardiac deaths. On the contrary, several studies suggest that vaccination reduces the risk of severe cardiac issues in the long run.
Looking ahead, the panel has made several key recommendations to improve heart health monitoring and response in Karnataka. These include:
- Setting up a surveillance system for sudden cardiac deaths, especially among young adults
- Creating autopsy-based registries to understand the causes of unexpected deaths
- Introducing early heart health screenings in schools
- Funding large-scale studies to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and its vaccines on heart health
The committee stressed that heart disease is often caused by a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors, and tackling it will require a comprehensive public health approach, not fear or misinformation.
(With inputs from PTI)
