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The transcript features a discussion with two medical experts, Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subramaniam Swaminathan, about the perceived link between COVID-19 vaccines and heart attacks. They emphasize that there is no authenticated data supporting a correlation between COVID vaccination and increased heart attacks. The experts highlight India's high incidence of cardiac problems due to factors like diabetes, hypertension, and lifestyle issues. They discuss studies showing that respiratory viral infections can trigger cardiac events, and that flu vaccines may actually reduce the risk of death in heart attack patients. The conversation also touches on the need for better recording of vaccine side effects in India and the importance of lifestyle changes to prevent heart problems.
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Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Covid Vaccine and sudden heart attacks: Delhi AIIMS says no connection
The Covid 19 pandemic was a mayhem that gripped the world from 2020 to 2022, resulting in millions of deaths. India specifically saw a deadly second wave from March 2021 to June 2021, resulting in many deaths, lack of oxygen tanks and beds. However, a glimmer of hope appeared with the Covid vaccine, which, even though did not give complete immunity against the virus, made the ailment much less severe. Of late, there have been talks about the vaccine's long term effects on health, in particular cardiac health, as more and more young Indians are dying of "sudden" heart attacks. However, recently, doctors and researchers at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have addressed these concerns. Their studies show there is no clear link between Covid vaccines and sudden cardiac arrest deaths in India. What started the worry After the Covid-19 vaccination, and even till now, some cases of young people dying suddenly from heart attacks or cardiac arrest were reported. These incidents led to fear and speculation that the vaccine might be causing these deaths. Social media posts and public figures added to the confusion, making many people anxious about vaccine safety, which was being seen as a precursor to cardiac events. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo What Did AIIMS Delhi Study AIIMS Delhi, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), launched a detailed study to find out if there was any connection between Covid vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths. The study focused on adults aged 18 to 45, a group where some of these sudden deaths were reported. How was the study carried out Researchers examined over 300 cases of sudden, unexplained deaths. Post-mortems were conducted to find the real cause of death. The study included people who had received one or more doses of the Covid vaccine. What Did the Results Show The main finding was on these lines: there is no evidence that Covid vaccines increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest or heart attack deaths. Most of the sudden deaths were linked to coronary artery disease (CHD), which is often caused by poor lifestyle choices such as unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and stress. Some deaths were due to genetic factors or pre-existing health conditions. The pattern of sudden deaths after vaccination was similar to what was seen before the pandemic. What Do the Experts Say Doctors at AIIMS Delhi have strongly stated that the benefits of Covid vaccines far outweigh any risks. Dr. Sanjay Rai, Professor of Community Medicine at AIIMS, explained that while every vaccine or medicine carries some risk, the overall benefit of vaccination in saving lives during the pandemic was huge. Dr. Karan Madan, Associate Professor at AIIMS, said, 'Covid vaccines were effective and played a crucial role in reducing mortality. A study was done on sudden cardiac deaths to review the vaccines used so far, but no clear association was found with sudden cardiac deaths'. Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS, also pointed out that heart attacks in young people is more likely due to lifestyle, genetics, and other health issues, not the vaccine. What About Other Studies The findings from AIIMS Delhi are supported by other major studies in India: The ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology conducted a large study across 47 hospitals in 19 states. It found no link between Covid vaccination and sudden unexplained deaths among adults. The Union Health Ministry and the Serum Institute of India (maker of Covishield) have also confirmed that the vaccines are safe and scientifically validated. Why do sudden cardiac arrests happen Sudden cardiac arrest can occur for many reasons, including Coronary artery disease (blocked arteries) Genetic factors (family history of heart disease) Unhealthy lifestyle (poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol which over years weaknes the heart) Pre-existing health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure) Stress and obesity What should one do: Regardless of this breather, one should take care of your heart health. For this Exercise often Consume heart healthy foods Keep your BP under check Quit smoking/reduce alcohol Ditch the junk Lose weight, if you are overweight Get yourself tested every year Sources AIIMS The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Union Health Ministry
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Scientifically flawed to link Covid vaccines to sudden deaths: Top immunologist
After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suggested a possible link between sudden heart attack deaths in Hassan district and the Covid-19 vaccine, Dr. Vineeta Bal, immunologist and former scientist at the National Institute of Immunology, said that available data does not show any deaths directly caused by the Covid Bal acknowledged that rare cases of anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction, can occur after vaccination, but such an occurrence is not unique to Covid vaccines. 'They can happen with any vaccine, even in the paediatric population,' she told EVIDENCE LINKING VACCINES TO HEART ATTACKS As speculation grows around sudden cardiac deaths and their possible association with vaccination, Dr. Bal made it clear: 'Sudden heart attack deaths being loosely linked to Covid-19 vaccines doesn't have any scientific evidence.'She added that most people in India have not taken Covid booster doses in the last three years, making a direct link to recent incidents medically implausible. "So connecting today's deaths to vaccines taken long ago is scientifically flawed,' she ATTACKS ON THE RISE, BUT WHY?According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded a 12.5% increase in heart attack deaths in 2022. The NCRB's report, Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, revealed that 32,457 individuals died of heart attacks in 2022, up from 28,413 the previous spike follows relatively stable figures in 2020 (28,579 deaths) and 2021 (28,413 deaths), pointing to a sharp recent Bal stressed the need for context: 'We need baseline data from before 2020 - age, socioeconomic conditions, health status - and compare it with current figures. Only then can we say if deaths have risen.'LIMITATIONS IN VACCINE SIDE-EFFECT REPORTINGIndia does have a system for tracking Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). Before Covid, this was focused on childhood adult vaccinations began, the government developed a reporting system for Covid vaccine side effects, including deaths, but the infrastructure took time to build and remains incomplete and underdeveloped. India does have a system for tracking Adverse Events Following Immunization. () India also introduced self-reporting mechanisms, allowing citizens to log symptoms like fever or breathlessness. 'It was a step forward, but the system is still far from perfect. Our data is not as strong as what you might find in the US or Europe,' said Dr. DOESN'T MEAN CAUSATIONadvertisementReports of healthy individuals dying after vaccination appears alarming, but Dr. Bal believes this could reflect improved health tracking rather than an actual increase in deaths.'You can't confidently link a current heart attack to a vaccine taken three years ago. That's not how causality works in science,' she if more deaths are occurring, she added, vaccines could be one among many possible causes: 'Maybe 30 or 40 causes. But you can't isolate one without evidence.'MYOCARDITIS: A RARE, MILD SIDE EFFECTIn very rare cases, especially among young men, Covid-19 vaccines could cause myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle. However, these cases are usually mild and extremely experts maintain that for the vast majority, Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe Union Health Ministry recently issued a statement studies the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) affirm that Covid-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects. "Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-Covid complications," the statement Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactured Covishield, also reaffirmed the safety of its vaccine.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Siddaramaiah, Biocon founder spar over vaccine safety amid rise in Hassan deaths
A public exchange between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has brought national attention to the state's investigation into a series of sudden deaths in Hassan district. The debate between the two public figures is centred on whether Covid-19 vaccines might be linked to the rise in heart-related her latest post on July 4, the Biocon founder while agreeing with the Chief Minister's position on seeking scientific clarity reiterated that vaccines developed in India were approved through due process. advertisement'My response was that due process was followed as prescribed by WHO for safety and efficacy for EUA. Losing lives in a sudden manner is always tragic and I am glad an investigation is being conducted in Hassan district,' she wrote on X. This came in response to Siddaramaiah's post on July 3 on the social media platform, where he clarified that asking questions about vaccine safety was a governance responsibility, not misinformation. 'When parents lose their young children or families lose breadwinners without warning, seeking clarity is not misinformation; it is an act of governance rooted in empathy.' Citing multiple peer-reviewed studies, he added that some Covid-19 vaccines had been linked to rare cardiac events, and that global regulators, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), had acknowledged the emergency rollouts involved 'calculated risks'.Siddaramaiah defended his earlier remarks on July 1 suggesting that 'hasty' vaccine approvals could not be ruled out as a factor in the increase in heart attacks. 'It cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated,' he had Shaw had earlier countered that Indian vaccines were approved under the Emergency Use Authorisation framework, adhering to international safety and efficacy norms. 'To suggest that these vaccines were 'hastily' approved is factually incorrect and contributes to public misinformation,' she wrote on July 3. 'These vaccines have saved millions of lives and, like all vaccines, may cause side effects in a very small number of individuals.'In response, Siddaramaiah stated, 'Haste is not a sin when saving lives, but acknowledging potential unintended consequences is wisdom.' The Chief Minister's comments followed reports that more than 20 people had died of heart attacks in Hassan district in the past month. In response, the state government has formed a high-level expert committee under Dr Ravindranath, Director of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to investigate the deaths and submit a report within ten is the same panel that was tasked in February 2025 with studying the cause of sudden deaths among young people in Karnataka and whether there could be any link to Covid-19 vaccination. Siddaramaiah said the panel would continue evaluating cardiac cases and deliver its findings, based on which the government would take further action.'We too value the lives of children, youth, and innocent people who have their entire lives ahead of them, and we share the concerns of their families,' he said. He also condemned the BJP for allegedly politicising the deaths. 'Before BJP criticise us on this matter, they should ask their conscience,' he said.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
