COVID Vaccine Not Linked to Heart Attacks, Say Cardiologists in Gujarat

Dr. Chirag Doshi and a panel of cardiologists at the U.N. Mehta Cardiology Research Institute in Ahmedabad have conducted research concerning heart-related diseases and their consequences, specifically focusing on disturbances in the heart’s arteries. Dr. Doshi has emphasized that when disruptions occur in the heart’s arteries, it can lead to heart attacks, which can result in sudden and unexpected fatalities. A regular heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 90 heartbeats per minute. However, when the body mass index increases significantly, heart rates can elevate to 150 to 160 beats per minute. When the heart rate reaches around 180, it can lead to heart failure, and irregular heartbeats may prevent the heart from pumping effectively, potentially leading to failure. Autopsies have not been performed in these cases.

Lack of Oxygen or Excess Carbon Dioxide Can Lead to Heart Attacks

In cases where there is an absence of oxygen or an excess of carbon dioxide in the arteries, heart attacks can occur. Heart attacks can suddenly appear without warning, leading to difficulties in breathing and dizziness. If you experience these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical advice promptly. Chest pain caused by heart attacks can radiate to other parts of the body. Additionally, vomiting, nausea, or shortness of breath are warning signs of heart problems.

Hypertension – A Trigger for Heart Attacks

If you experience chest pain that subsides after some time and it is consistent with the patterns described above, it is crucial to seek medical attention for further evaluation and diagnosis. Individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles are at a higher risk of experiencing heart attacks. Maintaining an active lifestyle and walking 10 to 11 kilometers per day is highly recommended.

Cases of Heart Attacks Increasing Over the Past 10 Years

Data collected before and after the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2023 showed that 8 to 11% of patients were below 40 years of age. There hasn’t been a significant increase in cases following the COVID-19 pandemic. In pre-COVID and post-COVID periods, there has been no significant change in the number of young patients experiencing heart-related diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients experienced thrombosis in their arteries and had clotting issues affecting their hearts, but there is no scientific evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to heart attacks. Cases of heart attacks have been on the rise for the last ten years, and diabetes is one contributing factor.

Heartbeat Above 200 Leads to Death in 4 Minutes

Dr. Milan Chag, a cardiologist at Sims Hospital, explains that cardiac arrest and heart attacks are distinct phenomena. Approximately 3 to 4% of individuals experience sudden cardiac arrest, where the heart stops abruptly. In these cases, if there is no immediate medical intervention, 10% of individuals may succumb within 4 minutes. Cardiac arrest can strike suddenly and lead to death, while heart attacks are typically characterized by chest pain and discomfort. The autopsy report can confirm whether an individual suffered a heart attack or cardiac arrest. In the last ten years, there hasn’t been a significant increase in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, and flu vaccines for children are recommended.

Cultivate Healthy Eating Habits and Walk with Mindfulness

India is considered the capital of heart disease worldwide. To avoid heart problems, it is crucial not to engage in bad habits and to maintain a diet with a focus on sattvic (pure) food. It is advisable to combine such a diet with regular walking. Presently, diets are often high in unhealthy fats and additives. It is necessary to keep cholesterol levels below 70 LDL (low-density lipoprotein).

Every day, 100 cardiac deaths occur

Cardiologist Dr. Bhavesh of Zydus Hospital has revealed that efforts are being made to create awareness among people about heart care. There are 7 crore people in Gujarat, with a population of 70 lakh in Ahmedabad. Out of such a population, there are 5.6 deaths in every 1000 cases. In Ahmedabad, 100 cardiac deaths occur every day, in which 7 to 8 patients’ arteries are blocked suddenly, and 3 patients die due to heart arrhythmia.

Smoking is a major cause of heart attack

In Rajkot, where a 15-year-old girl had a cardiac arrest, the possibility of increasing heart attacks to save lives has increased. In such cases, CPR should be given in a timely manner. CPR should be continued until the heart starts beating. If the patient is taken to the hospital and cannot provide heart care, then CPR should be given there. In the hospital, efforts are being made to start the heart using a shock machine. Currently, 8 to 10 youngsters come to the OPD. It is felt that they may have a heart attack. Around 40% of people in our surroundings are not physically active, and their lifestyle is poor. Every third person is affected by obesity. Smoking is the major cause of heart attacks, as it leads to the formation of clots in the arteries.

Medical screening to prevent heart disease is very important

Fit individuals can also suffer heart attacks. If a person smokes 10 cigarettes a day, they are more likely to have trouble. Not only that, but there has been a 1.5 times increase in online food delivery after the Corona period instead of physical food. In Sterling Hospital, from 2016-17, there were 7% young cardiac patients, while in 2022-23, it has increased to 6%. If the difference is more than 50%, some cause can be identified. There has been no increase in heart attacks in young age groups since 2016. Medical screening is very important to prevent heart disease.

In 50% of heart attack cases, the ECG is normal

Dr. Rasesh, a cardiologist at Sterling Hospital, has stated that young people are responsible for heart attacks, not just due to coronary artery blockage. The fear of the death of a young daughter in Rajkot has not spread among the people. Autopsy must be performed to find out the true cause of their death. Screening for the possibility of a heart attack is essential. Now that we know medical and family history, several reports can tell how likely a person is to have a heart attack.

ICMR to Conduct Research on 75 Cadaver Bodies in Gujarat 

In an effort to understand the cases of heart attacks following COVID-19, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting research on 75 cadaver bodies from various parts of India. Gujarat, however, is yet to include any bodies in this research.

What Does the Data Reveal? 

According to the data trends observed at U.N. Mehta Hospital and within our state, individuals aged 40 years or younger with COVID-19 showed a mortality rate of 8% to 11% before COVID-19. After COVID-19, data spanning three years reveals a mortality rate of 9% to 12% in this age group. Among young patients who suffered a sudden cardiac death, a condition that often results in human casualties due to cardiac death, 5.5% to 9.5% of individuals have a history of testing positive for COVID-19, and out of this, only 1.2% to 5.5% have been diagnosed with severe COVID-19, hospitalized, and requiring oxygen. This data provides extensive information from September 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began.Based on this data, it can be deduced that those who experienced serious COVID-19 infection in the initial years have an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, a risk that has decreased with time.

What Is a Sudden Cardiac Arrest? 

A sudden cardiac arrest is a condition where the heart stops functioning abruptly for no apparent reason.

What Is a Sudden Cardiac Death? 

Sudden cardiac death is a situation where the heart suffers from a sudden fatality due to cardiac ailments. In young patients, we define sudden cardiac death as an event where the percentage of individuals with sudden cardiac death is low. In other individuals, sudden cardiac death occurs due to various other causes.

Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death 

In 80% of cases, sudden cardiac death results from coronary artery (blood vessel) blockages. In 20% of cases, sudden cardiac death is caused by cardiomyopathy or heart rhythm issues that may have developed from birth and can lead to heart disease.

What Is a Heart Attack? 

A heart attack occurs when the heart is deprived of blood and oxygen due to certain factors, and damage occurs in the heart, which we refer to as a heart attack. In these cases, there may be complete or partial blockages in the heart’s blood vessels.

Heart Attack / Heart Attack Symptoms

• Chest heaviness,
• sweating,
• palpitations or palpitations,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Dizziness or blurred vision,
• feeling helpless etc

Other features

• feeling like acidity,
• backache,
• jaw pain,
• Hands feel heavy

Heart attack treatment

• Immediately when any of the above symptoms appear
• should be shown to the nearest hospital and
• It should be treated on time. so that
• Sudden death or long-term complications related to heart attack can be avoided.
• A heart attack / heart attack is treated with medication or with a stent or bypass.

Primary care to prevent heart attack / heart attack

• stress free lifestyle,
• regular diet,
• Adequate inversion/relaxation,
• Good sattvic food,
• Eat more fresh, green vegetables and fruits.
• Avoiding junk food, high in fat or oil,
• Regular walking and exercise,
• Being tobacco or drug free
• Regular body checkup after age 40 years