Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 7: Responding to the increasing number of sudden cardiac deaths in Karnataka, the state government had constituted a technical advisory committee under the leadership of Dr C N Ravindranath, director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to investigate the causes.

The committee submitted its report to the government on July 2, concluding that neither the COVID-19 vaccine nor prior COVID infection is linked to sudden cardiac arrests.

The study focused on 251 patients aged 45 and below, who were admitted to Jayadeva Hospital between April and May 2025 with cardiac issues. Despite 249 out of 251 individuals having received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, and 19 having a history of COVID infection, the committee found no direct evidence connecting these factors to sudden or acute cardiac events.

The patients studied were from across Karnataka—47% from Bengaluru, 8% from Tumakuru, and 5% each from Mandya, Kolar, and Ramanagara, while 22% were from other districts. Of the 251 patients, 12 were under 30, 66 were aged between 31–40, and 172 between 41–45.

Among the patients, 218 were men and 33 women. Medical profiles revealed that 87 had diabetes, 102 had high blood pressure, 35 had cholesterol issues, and 40 had pre-existing heart conditions. Additionally, 111 were smokers. Notably, 77 patients had no underlying health issues.

The report emphasized that global research supports the protective effect of COVID vaccines against severe heart-related complications. It stated, “Research is clear—there is no link between the COVID vaccine and sudden cardiac deaths. In fact, international studies show that vaccines offer protection against serious cardiac outcomes.”

Compared to pre-pandemic data from 2019, there has been a notable rise in lifestyle-related cardiac risk factors among individuals under 40. High blood pressure increased from 13.9% to 17.6%, cholesterol from 34.8% to 44.1%, and smoking from 48.8% to 51%.

The expert committee noted that approximately 27% of the 251 patients had no traditional risk factors commonly associated with cardiac conditions. Among those studied, 19 patients had a history of COVID infection. In terms of vaccination status, 53 had received one dose of the vaccine, 180 had received two doses, and 17 had taken all three doses.

A comparison with pre-pandemic data from 2019 revealed a noticeable rise in lifestyle-related cardiac risk factors among individuals under 40. The incidence of diabetes in this group increased from 13.9% to 20.5%, hypertension rose from 13.9% to 17.6%, and the prevalence of dyslipidaemia (abnormal cholesterol levels) grew from 34.8% to 44.1%.

To better monitor and address the rise in sudden cardiac arrests among the youth, the committee recommended establishing a national registry and a dedicated cardiac surveillance programme. It also advised making post-mortem-based reporting mandatory in cases of unexplained deaths within this age group.

Further, it proposed that regular heart screenings be introduced in schools to help detect hereditary cardiac conditions early. The committee also urged the launch of widespread public health campaigns to educate citizens about lifestyle-related heart risks.

In addition, the committee advocated for the promotion of the ‘Six S’ strategy to reduce risk factors: increased physical activity, quitting smoking, reducing screen time, controlling sugar and salt intake, ensuring adequate sleep, and managing stress effectively.

The committee is currently awaiting an additional report on neurological issues from NIMHANS, after which a final comprehensive report will be submitted.