Bengaluru, 5 July

The State government’s expert committee concluded that there was no association between premature cardiovascular diseases and the Covid-19 vaccine. It called for nationwide cardiac surveillance, autopsy-based registries, and mandatory heart screening for children from the age of 15.

The committee was formed to investigate the surge in heart related illness in Hassan district. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reported that at least 20 people died of cardiovascular illness and suggested a possible linkage between the deaths and vaccine, which he claimed was implemented in a hurry.

“The observational study conducted at Jayadeva Hospital, did not find any association between premature cardiovascular disease and a prior history of Covid 19 infection or Covid Vaccination,” the report said. “Most studies/ reports published in rest of world also have not found any causal association between Covid vaccination and sudden cardiovascular events. On the contrary, Covid vaccination has been shown to be protective against cardiac events in the long term.”

The report, headed by Dr KS Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, studied 251 patients below the age of 45 at Jayadeva Hospital who were admitted to the institute with heart issues between 1 April to 31 May.

The report said that there was long term affect of Covid on the heart.

“While in the immediate post covid phase, there is an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular events due to a pro-inflammatory state, the same cannot be held to be true in the long term (more than 1 year)”, it said.  “Current data does not support the belief that ‘long Covid’ is responsible for the rise in sudden cardiovascular events among the young.

The report instead attributed the surge in heart-attacks to other risk factors, including smoking and drinking, and pre-existing health issues.

The panel also suggested a “routine heart screening at school level - 10th standard, or 15 years of age”.