After the sudden passing of a schoolteacher in Lahore, a wave of concern has spread online — with many people wondering whether the COVID-19 vaccine is behind a reported rise in heart attacks among young individuals.
But leading heart specialists are urging the public not to jump to conclusions.
Professor Dr. Nadeem Rizvi, a respected cardiologist, has firmly stated that there is no scientific evidence linking the COVID vaccine to sudden cardiac deaths or a spike in heart issues among the youth.
“These kinds of tragedies are heartbreaking, but blaming the vaccine without medical proof is not the answer,” Dr. Rizvi said. He explained that sudden heart-related deaths in younger people are usually due to inherited conditions or rare heart disorders, rather than the type of blocked arteries seen in older patients.
Globally, studies have shown no rise in heart attacks among vaccinated individuals, he added. In very rare cases, a mild inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) was noted — mainly in young men, and even then, most recovered quickly. Importantly, the CDC’s vaccine safety databases have found no elevated risk of heart inflammation from COVID vaccines since 2022.
Referring to the incident in Lahore, Dr. Rizvi emphasized that only medical investigations can confirm a cause of death, and that sudden cardiac arrests can happen for many reasons — most of which aren’t linked to vaccination. He also pointed out that in cases where cardiac arrest happens outside a hospital, survival rates are tragically low unless treated with a defibrillator within minutes.
He urged the public to stay informed with science-backed facts, rather than giving in to fear. “Instead of spreading panic, we should focus on awareness and timely medical help,” he said.
