Karnataka panel finds no link between sudden cardiac deaths and Covid vaccine

09-Jul-2025
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A government-appointed expert committee in Karnataka has found no link between sudden cardiac deaths and prior Covid-19 infection or vaccination. 

The panel, chaired by Dr KS Ravindranath, director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research, submitted its findings on July 2. 

The investigation followed a series of alarming deaths reported from Hassan district.

The report concluded that the deaths were likely due to a combination of behavioural, genetic, and environmental factors. Many cases involved traditional risks such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and high cholesterol. 

However, a significant number of patients had none of these, suggesting possible new or under-recognised causes.

The panel emphasised that no single cause was responsible for the spike in sudden cardiac deaths. 

While there was a temporary rise in cardiac events immediately after Covid, attributed to inflammation, the long-term impact (beyond a year) appears negligible.