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News18
5 hours ago
- Health
- News18
No Causal Link Between Covid Vaccination And Sudden Cardiac Deaths: Karnataka Govt Report
Last Updated: The study, which has nothing to do with the probe into cardiac-related deaths in Hassan, was commissioned to look into the rising trend of sudden cardiovascular events in India Amid a series of heart attack-related deaths reported from a single district, a Karnataka government study has found that there is no causal link between Covid-19 vaccination and sudden cardiovascular deaths. The study, which has nothing to do with the investigation into the deaths in Hassan, was recently commissioned by the state government to look into the rising trend of sudden cardiovascular events in India. The study has shown that there is no single cause for the observed increase in sudden cardiac deaths and, notably, found no causal association to the coronavirus vaccination. It states that conventional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking remain prevalent among patients, although a significant minority presented without these traditional risk factors. Dated July 2, the The observational pilot study was chaired by Dr KS Ravindranath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. According to the report, while previous Covid-19 infection may contribute to a pro-inflammatory state in the immediate post-infection phase, this is not a long-term factor (beyond one year). It further suggests that an increase in common heart disease risk factors is the most likely explanation for the rise in sudden cardiovascular events. Recommendations include establishing a cardiac surveillance programme, a national registry for sudden cardiac deaths among young adults, routine heart screenings at the school level, and public health campaigns promoting a healthy lifestyle. First Published: July 06, 2025, 19:57 IST
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Panel advises cardiac screenings from age 15, creation of registry
sudden cardiac deaths cardiac screenings National Cardiac Surveillance Registry early intervention In a push to tackle the alarming rise in(SCD), especially among young adults, an expert committee led by Dr KS Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research, has urged immediate nationwide measures—including routinefor school children aged 15 and the creation of aThe committee, formed by the Government of Karnataka, was tasked with investigating the growing number of sudden cardiovascular deaths and exploring possible links with Covid-19 infection or extensive review, the findings point not to the pandemic, but to a broader and evolving landscape of traditional and lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk of the key recommendations is the introduction of routine heart screenings in schools, specifically targeting 10th-grade students or those around 15 years old. These screenings would include clinical evaluations aimed at identifying congenital heart defects, inherited rhythm disorders, structural abnormalities, as well as obesity, hypertension, cholesterol imbalances, and insulin call for early screening stems from increasing evidence that cardiovascular problems are surfacing earlier in life, driven by sedentary habits, unhealthy diets, and rising stress among teenagers. The committee believes that early detection and timely intervention could significantly reduce future cardiac events in younger better understand the nature of these deaths, the committee conducted an observational study of 251 patients under the age of 45 admitted to Jayadeva Hospital between April and May 2025.A large proportion of these individuals showed traditional risk factors—hypertension (40.6%), diabetes (34.7%), dyslipidemia (43.8%), and smoking (44.2%). However, what stood out was that nearly 27% of patients had no identifiable risk factors at all, raising concerns that current diagnostic practices may be missing hidden the committee found no evidence linking sudden cardiac events to previous Covid-19 infection or vaccination. Contrary to widespread concerns, data from both Indian and international studies suggest that Covid-19 vaccines are actually protective against heart-related complications over time.'The data does not support fears that long Covid or vaccination is behind this trend,' the report states. 'Rather, the rise in cases is better explained by an increase in lifestyle-related risk factors, which worsened during and after the pandemic.'The report emphasises that there is no single cause behind the spike in sudden cardiac it highlights a complex mix of genetic, behavioural, and environmental contributors. Although the immediate post-covid period did see a rise in heart-related issues due to inflammation, this effect appears to have tapered sudden cardiac deaths among individuals under 45 continuing to climb over the past four years, the committee's findings have added urgency to preventive strategies, underscoring the need for, public awareness, and long-term health monitoring.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Covid vaccine & Karnataka's recent cardiac deaths not linked, finds Jayadeva Institute report
Bengaluru: A state govt-backed study into the alarming rise in sudden cardiovascular events (including heart attacks and cardiac deaths) among youngsters has concluded that Covid-19 vaccination isn't linked to the fatalities. 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 behaviour, genetic and environmental risks." Commissioned by the Siddaramaiah govt and readied by Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research director Dr KS Ravindranath, the sudy follows growing public concern over anecdotal reports of heart attacks and sudden deaths, especially among individuals under 45 years of age, in the state in the post-pandemic era. This multi-disciplinary effort — led by cardiologists, public health experts, virologists and epidemiologists — synthesised national and international data, and included a pilot study of 251 patients admitted to Jayadeva hospital with coronary artery disease between April 1 and May 31 this year. The findings were clear: No evidence was found linking Covid-19 vaccination and increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. On the contrary, Indian and international studies reviewed by the expert panel suggested that Covid vaccines, particularly inactivated and mRNA platforms, are associated with lower odds of sudden cardiac death. The study also emphasised that most vaccine-related cardiac complications reported globally were rare, self-limiting, and significantly less severe than those caused by the actual Covid-19 infection. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Out of the 251 patients studied, nearly all (249) had been vaccinated, with 72% having received two doses and 57% having taken Covishield — the most common vaccine administered in the country. Only 19 patients (7.6%) reported a history of Covid infection, which could be an effect of recall bias (when the survey participant's ability to accurately remember past events becomes flawed over time) or a pointer to the high rate of asymptomatic infections in the population. Effect of lifestyle changes A comparison with pre-pandemic data from 2019 showed a modest rise in conventional cardiac risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol disorders, indicating that lifestyle changes during the pandemic period may be driving the increased cardiovascular burden rather than the virus or the vaccine. The data shows while Covid-19 infection can cause inflammation and clotting abnormalities that increase short-term cardiac risk, there's no scientific evidence to support long-term increased risk due to vaccination. It instead attributes the trend to multiple causes, including rising metabolic disorders, sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and substance abuse among youngsters.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Karnataka: Study finds no link between Covid vaccine and heart attacks
BENGALURU: A state government-commissioned investigation into the rising cases of sudden cardiac deaths among young adults in Karnataka has found no causal link between Covid-19 vaccination or prior infection and premature cardiovascular events. The study, led by Dr KS Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, was submitted to the state government on July 2. The report followed a two-month pilot study of 251 patients aged 45 and below who were admitted to Jayadeva Hospital with coronary artery disease between April and May this year. Although 19 patients reported past Covid infection and nearly all (249 out of 251) had received at least one vaccine dose, the expert committee concluded there was no evidence to suggest these factors directly contributed to heart attacks or sudden cardiac deaths. The geographical analysis showed that 47% of all cases were from Bengaluru, with smaller proportions from Tumkur (8%), Mandya, Kolar, and Ramanagara (5% each), and a combined 22% from other Karnataka districts. Patients from other states made up 5% of the study sample. 'The findings are clear — there is no link between Covid vaccination and sudden cardiac deaths. In fact, global studies show vaccines are protective against severe cardiovascular outcomes,' the report noted and instead highlighted that a worrying number of young patients lacked conventional risk factors like diabetes or hypertension, pointing to the need to explore newer mechanisms, possibly related to lifestyle or environmental changes. When compared to pre-pandemic data from 2019, a notable increase was observed in lifestyle-related risk factors among patients under 40. The share of diabetics rose from 13.9% in 2019 to 20.5% in 2025, hypertension from 13.9% to 17.6%, and those with cholesterol disorders from 34.8% to 44.1%. Smoking also saw an increase from 48.8% to 51%. While the study acknowledged a temporary rise in cardiovascular events in the immediate post-Covid phase — likely due to inflammation or stress — it dismissed long-term Covid or vaccine effects as causes for the current spike in young-onset heart disease.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
'Won't ignore Covid vaccine concerns': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah orders probe as over 20 die of heart attacks in Hassan; sets 10-day deadline
NEW DELHI: A wave of sudden cardiac deaths in Karnataka, especially among young people, has jolted the state government into action, with chief minister Siddaramaiah announcing a 10-day deadline for an expert panel to submit its findings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the past month alone, at least 20 people in Hassan district have reportedly died of heart attacks, many without prior symptoms or pre-existing conditions. Leading the probe is Dr KS Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, who is working in coordination with the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) to identify patterns, possible causes, and preventive measures. 'Fourteen of the deceased died at home without seeking medical help. Nine were under 30,' said Dr Rajanna B, director of HIMS, confirming that the deaths occurred between May 28 and June 28, 2025. With many cases too old for post-mortems, investigators are depending on local doctors, family testimonies, and patient records. The deaths have sparked concern across the state, with Jayadeva hospitals in Bengaluru and Mysuru reporting a 20% rise in emergency cardiac OPD visits. Is there a vaccine link? In a statement on Tuesday, CM Siddaramaiah did not rule out the possibility that Covid-19 vaccines may have contributed to some of the deaths. 'We cannot ignore that the hasty approval and distribution of the vaccine could also be a factor, as global studies have hinted at links to cardiac issues,' he said. He added that the same expert committee had been asked in February to study post-vaccination effects and young adult deaths statewide. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Before BJP criticizes us, they should ask their conscience,' Siddaramaiah remarked, accusing opposition leaders of politicizing a public health concern. Cardiologists divided The medical fraternity appears split on the issue. While the Mysuru chapter of the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) has launched a separate two-year study into rising cardiac cases among youth, led by Dr Shashirekha and Dr Veena Nanjappa, senior cardiologist and MP Dr CN Manjunath downplayed the trend as new. 'This is not a sudden phenomenon,' said Dr Manjunath, who cited a 2013–2018 study of 5,000 heart attack patients aged 20–45. 'We found 50% were smokers, and nearly 20% had diabetes or high BP. But worryingly, 25% had no conventional risk factors. We need to examine food safety and pesticide exposure too.' Public urged not to ignore warning signs While the debate continues, the government is urging citizens not to delay seeking help. 'Anyone with chest pain or breathing issues must go to the nearest health centre immediately,' said Siddaramaiah. He cited state-run health programs like Hridaya Jyothi and Gruha Arogya as part of efforts to monitor and respond to rising cardiac risk. The expert committee's report is expected by July 10.
