Blame Alcohol, Family History, Drugs, Workout, But Youngsters' Hearts Safe with Covid Vaccines: ICMR Study

Blame Alcohol, Family History, Drugs, Workout, But Youngsters’ Hearts Safe with Covid Vaccines: ICMR Study

Contrary to speculated connections between Covid-19 vaccines and heart attacks, a recent study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR) found compelling evidence.

The finding, published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, said opting for Covid-19 vaccination not only disproves any such link but actively reduces the risk of unexplained sudden deaths among young individuals in India.

In fact, it found that factors such as Covid-19 hospitalisation, a family history of sudden deaths, binge alcohol drinking, and engaging in intense unaccustomed activity are linked to a higher risk of sudden death.

Published on November 16, the study titled ‘Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India’ explored the causes of the anecdotal reports of sudden deaths in healthy young adults.

The researchers studied healthy individuals aged 18-45, without known health issues and medical history, who suddenly died under unexplained circumstances within 24 hours of hospitalisation or were seen as apparently healthy 24 hours before death, between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023.

The study found that “Covid-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India”.

“Past Covid-19 hospitalisation, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death,” said the study published in IJMR, a publication of India’s apex medical research body, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

How was the study conducted?

The authors studied 729 cases and 2916 controls. They gathered information through interviews and records about Covid-19 vaccination and infection, post-Covid-19 conditions, family history of sudden death, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol habits, binge drinking, and intense physical activity two days before death or interviews.

They used regression models to calculate adjusted matched odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), taking into account Covid-19 vaccination within 42 days before the outcome, any vaccine received at any time, and the number of vaccine doses.

According to the study, authors found that getting at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose decreased the odds of unexplained sudden death but factors such as past Covid-19 hospitalisation, family history of sudden death, binge drinking 48 hours before death, recreational drug use and intense physical activity 48 hours before death were associated with a higher risk. It also said having two vaccine doses lowered the odds but a single dose did not show the same effect.