By News18
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).
The report did not find an association between premature cardiovascular disease and a prior history of Covid infection or vaccination. It stressed that most international studies also support this finding and some even suggest vaccination is protective against cardiac events in the long term.
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.