After AIIMS Delhi, Expert Panel Clears the Air, Says No link Between COVID Vaccine and Heart Attacks

In recent years, concerns about a potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden heart attacks, particularly among young adults, have fueled public debate and vaccine hesitancy in India. However, comprehensive studies by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and an expert panel in Karnataka have conclusively debunked these claims, attributing rising heart attack cases to lifestyle factors, genetics, and post-COVID complications rather than vaccination. This blog explores the findings, addresses public concerns, and highlights the broader implications for public health in India.

Background: Rising Concerns and Public Speculation

Since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in India in 2021, particularly Covishield and Covaxin, there has been growing public concern over reports of sudden cardiac deaths, especially among young adults. High-profile cases and social media narratives amplified speculation that vaccines might be contributing to heart attacks or cardiac arrests. In Karnataka’s Hassan district, for instance, over 20 heart attack deaths were reported in a single month, prompting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to suggest on July 1, 2025, that “hasty approval and distribution” of vaccines could be a factor. These remarks sparked a nationwide debate, necessitating a scientific response to clarify the situation.

The Studies: AIIMS, ICMR, and Karnataka Expert Panel

To address these concerns, multiple rigorous studies were conducted by leading medical institutions in India, with findings released in early July 2025. These studies provide a robust evidence base to dispel myths about vaccine-related cardiac risks.

1. ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology Study

The ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) conducted a multicentric matched case-control study titled Factors Associated with Unexplained Sudden Deaths Among Adults Aged 18–45 Years in India. Conducted from May to August 2023 across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union Territories, the study examined over 300 cases of sudden, unexplained deaths between October 2021 and March 2023. Key findings include:

• No Vaccine Link: The study found no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of sudden cardiac death in young adults.
• Primary Causes: Most deaths were attributed to coronary artery disease, driven by lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets, smoking, lack of exercise, and stress. Some cases were linked to genetic mutations or pre-existing health conditions.
• Pre-Pandemic Patterns: The pattern of sudden deaths post-vaccination was consistent with pre-COVID trends, indicating no new risks introduced by vaccines.

2. AIIMS Delhi’s Ongoing Study

AIIMS Delhi, in collaboration with ICMR, is conducting a prospective study titled Establishing the Cause in Sudden Unexplained Deaths in Young. This study, still underway, has analyzed over 300 cases of sudden deaths among young adults. Preliminary findings, shared on July 3, 2025, align with ICMR’s conclusions:

• Heart Attacks as Leading Cause: Myocardial infarction (heart attack) remains the most common cause of sudden death in young adults, with no significant change in patterns compared to pre-COVID years.
• Genetic and Lifestyle Factors: Many cases involved genetic heart conditions, binge drinking, drug use, or excessive exercise post-COVID. Lifestyle-induced conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity were also prevalent.
• Negative Autopsies: In cases with no clear cause (“negative autopsy”), factors like genetic mutations or post-COVID blood clots were identified, but no vaccine-related patterns emerged.

Dr. Karan Madan, Associate Professor at AIIMS Delhi, emphasized, “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.” Dr. Sanjay Rai, Professor at AIIMS, added that the benefits of vaccines, with over 13 billion doses administered globally, far outweigh rare side effects.

3. Karnataka Expert Panel

Following the spike in heart attack deaths in Hassan, Karnataka’s state government formed an expert committee led by Dr. KS Ravindranath of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. The panel’s report, submitted on July 2, 2025, concluded:

• No Vaccine Association: There is no link between COVID-19 vaccination or prior infection and premature cardiovascular disease. On the contrary, vaccination was shown to be protective against long-term cardiac events.
• Multifactorial Causes: The rise in sudden cardiac deaths is driven by common risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), not vaccines or “long COVID.”
• Recommendations: The panel advocated for a robust surveillance system, autopsy-based registries, and early cardiovascular screening at the school level to address rising cardiac risks among youth.

Expert Voices: Debunking Myths

Prominent medical experts have reinforced these findings. Dr. Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS Delhi Director, noted that heart attacks in young people are more likely due to lifestyle, genetics, and other health issues, not vaccines. He cautioned against misinformation, stating, “Speculative claims without conclusive evidence risk undermining public confidence in vaccines, which have saved millions of lives.”

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon’s Executive Chairperson, defended the rigorous approval process for India’s vaccines, emphasizing that Covishield and Covaxin were developed under globally recognized Emergency Use Authorization protocols. The Serum Institute of India, manufacturer of Covishield, issued a statement on July 3, 2025, affirming, “The vaccines are safe and scientifically validated,” with no causal link to cardiac fatalities.

Addressing Public Concerns: Why the Confusion?

The perception of a vaccine-heart attack link stems from several factors:

• Post-COVID Complications: Blood clots and cardiovascular inflammation caused by severe COVID-19 infections are known to increase heart risks, which may be mistaken for vaccine effects.
• Coincidental Timing: The rise in reported heart attacks coincided with mass vaccination campaigns, leading to erroneous associations. However, studies show no deviation from pre-COVID cardiac death trends.
• Misinformation on Social Media: Posts on platforms like X have fueled speculation, with some users questioning why sudden deaths increased post-COVID despite official studies finding no vaccine link. These claims lack scientific backing and contribute to vaccine hesitancy.
• Lifestyle and Genetic Risks: Nearly 50% of individuals studied had a history of smoking or drinking, while others had genetic predispositions or lifestyle-induced conditions like obesity and stress, which are well-established heart attack risk factors.

Implications for Public Health

The findings carry significant implications for India’s public health strategy:

• Combating Vaccine Hesitancy: Unfounded claims about vaccine safety threaten to erode trust in immunization programs, which were critical in reducing COVID-19 mortality. The Union Health Ministry has emphasized its commitment to evidence-based research to maintain public confidence.
• Focus on Lifestyle Interventions: Experts recommend addressing lifestyle factors through public health campaigns, promoting healthy diets, regular exercise, and smoking cessation to curb rising cardiovascular risks.
• Enhanced Surveillance: The Karnataka panel’s call for autopsy registries and early screening highlights the need for proactive monitoring of cardiac health, especially among young adults.
• Global Context: With over 13 billion vaccine doses administered worldwide, India’s findings align with global studies, including those by the World Health Organization, which affirm the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines like Covishield (62.1% efficacy) and Covaxin.

Conclusion

The AIIMS Delhi, ICMR, and Karnataka expert panel studies provide unequivocal evidence that COVID-19 vaccines, including Covishield and Covaxin, do not increase the risk of heart attacks or sudden cardiac deaths. Instead, factors like genetics, unhealthy lifestyles, and post-COVID complications are the primary drivers of these incidents. By addressing misinformation and promoting evidence-based health policies, India can strengthen public trust in vaccines and focus on mitigating true cardiovascular risk factors. As Dr. VK Paul of NITI Aayog aptly stated, “Let’s not be prey to unfounded notions.” The science is clear: vaccines save lives, and the rise in heart attacks is a call to action for better lifestyle choices, not a reason to doubt immunization.

Sources: The Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Times of India, HealthShots, The Week, NDTV, India Today, PIB, Siasat, Assam Tribune, AIIMS Delhi, ICMR