Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil dismissed concerns linking COVID-19 vaccines to heart attack deaths, stating there is no increase in cardiac-related deaths or hospital admissions. Speaking at a press conference alongside Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Patil cited studies from the Bengaluru-based Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research (JICSR) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), aligning with findings from AIIMS, New Delhi. “People need not panic. There is no correlation between the COVID vaccine and these deaths,” Patil told PTI Videos.

The JICSR study, led by Director Dr. K S Ravindranath, examined 251 patients under 45 admitted between April 1 and May 31, 2025, finding only 7.6% had prior COVID-19 infection, while 99% were vaccinated. No link was found between premature cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Instead, the study noted vaccines may offer long-term protection against cardiac events.

NIMHANS reviewed 3,200 patients with neurological symptoms from March to September 2020, with only 3.7% having confirmed COVID-19 infections, attributing long COVID effects to molecular and functional issues, not structural causes. Both institutes recommend a national registry to monitor long-term effects of COVID-19 and vaccination, alongside early cardiovascular screening in schools and autopsy-based registries.

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Addressing reports of a heart attack surge in Hassan district, Patil clarified that only 10 of 24 reported deaths were cardiac-related, with ongoing studies exploring other causes. He attributed rising health issues to post-COVID lifestyle changes, including increased diabetes, blood pressure, stress, and poor diet. Gundu Rao ruled out mandatory heart screenings for children but announced awareness programs through JICSR.

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