Lifestyle, pre-existing health conditions are key contributing factors for heart attacks

New Delhi: Extensive studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have conclusively established no linkage between Coronavirus vaccines and sudden premature deaths among adults post-COVID-19.

National studies have identified lifestyle and pre-existing conditions as key factors behind the deaths. In a press statement yesterday, Union Health Ministry clarified that there was no link between COVID-19 vaccines and heart attacks in youths.

It came a day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suggested that Covid vaccines might be linked to a string of cardiac-related fatalities in the State.

The findings come amid concerns over rising heart attack rates among under-40 adults in the country. Over the past few years, several celebrities in their 40s and 50s have died due to sudden heart ailments.

ICMR and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have been working together to understand the causes behind sudden deaths, especially in young adults between 18 and 45 years.

The study, titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India — A multicentric matched case-control study,” was carried out from May to August 2023 across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 States and Union Territories.

The study focused on individuals who appeared to be healthy but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023.

The second study, titled “Establishing the cause of sudden unexplained deaths in young” was conducted by the AIIMS, New Delhi, with funding and in collaboration with ICMR.

The findings have conclusively shown that COVID-19 vaccines do not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death in young adults. “Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions and post-COVID complications,” a statement said.

CM Siddaramaiah’s post came amid reports that at least 20 people have died due to cardiac arrest in Hassan district alone over the last month. He also announced formation of a panel to study the potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Union Health Ministry stated that scientific experts have reiterated that statements linking COVID-19 vaccination to sudden deaths are false and misleading, and are not supported by scientific consensus.

“Speculative claims without conclusive evidence risk undermining public confidence in vaccines, which have played a crucial role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. Such unfounded reports and claims could strongly contribute to vaccine hesitancy in the country,” the statement said.