Heart attacks are not caused by COVID-19 vaccine, avoid unnecessary fear: Minister

Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil has said that there is no evidence to back the claim that COVID-19 vaccine causes sudden cardiac deaths and urged people not to panic over the recent reports of deaths due to cardiac arrest.

He was addressing media persons after inaugurating a free heart check-up camp for journalists in Kalaburagi organised by the district unit of Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) in association with Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR) here on Wednesday.

Dr. Patil reiterated that a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research has confirmed that there is no link between increasing sudden deaths in young adults with the vaccine. Even the expert committee set up by the State government to study the exact cause of increasing cardiac-related deaths has found no link with vaccination.

Dr. Patil suggested that journalists, due to the high-stress nature of their profession, should prioritize regular cardiac check-ups. He also advised journalists to adopt a healthy lifestyle by following a balanced diet, regular exercise and mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation, while avoiding tobacco, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Cardiologist in the Kalaburagi branch of Jayadeva Hospital Veeresh Patil Hebbal said that maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for the overall well-being of individual and longevity. He clarified that not all heart-related chest pain is due to blockages in the arteries.

KUWJ district president Baburao Yadrami thanked the Minister for taking the initiative to organise a cardiac check-up camp for journalists.

Nearly 600 media persons including office staff of both print and electronic media, are expected to benefit from the camp at Jayadeva Hospital.

The camp will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays for the next six weeks with 50 OPD slots every day.