Image Credit: X account @siddaramaiah
Karnataka Study Finds No Link Between COVID‑19 Vaccine and Heart Attacks
A Karnataka government-appointed expert panel has concluded that there is no connection between COVID‑19 vaccination or prior infection and the recent rise in sudden heart attacks among young adults in the state. The panel’s findings come in direct response to concerns raised by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had suggested a potential link between vaccines and heart-related deaths.
Vaccine safety
The study was conducted by a team of cardiologists and public health experts led by Dr. C.N. Ravindranath of Bengaluru’s Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences. It involved a comprehensive review of patients under the age of 45 who experienced cardiac events. The panel concluded that lifestyle and hereditary factors—such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and family history—were the predominant causes. They stated clearly that there was no causal evidence linking the incidents to COVID-19 vaccines.
They also observed that while there was a temporary increase in inflammatory markers following infection, this did not translate into a long-term cardiovascular risk attributable to the vaccines. Instead, the study emphasized that any post-COVID spike in cardiac incidents was short-lived and multifactorial.
Heart attacks
The panel’s findings refute speculation that vaccines may be responsible for the uptick in cardiac emergencies. According to their analysis, the trend is consistent with global data, which also finds no such causal relationship. In fact, multiple international studies have indicated that COVID-19 vaccines may reduce long-term cardiovascular risks by preventing severe infection and related complications.
Karnataka study
This report aligns with data from leading national institutions, including ICMR and AIIMS, which also find no vaccine-related cardiac risk in young populations. The panel called for caution against spreading unverified health claims that could damage public trust in vaccination programs.
Following the report’s release, several public health experts and political voices have urged the Chief Minister to clarify his earlier remarks. They emphasized the need for responsible communication, especially when it comes to public health issues that can influence vaccine acceptance.
