Heart disease leading cause of sudden deaths under 45: AIIMS
What's the story
A recent study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has revealed that heart disease is the leading cause of sudden deaths among people under 45 years. The research, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, comes amid widespread public concerns over unexplained deaths in young and apparently healthy individuals. The study also found no connection between these deaths and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Research approach
Study details and methodology
The study, titled "Burden of sudden death in young adults: A one-year observational study at a tertiary care center in India," examined unexpected deaths among adults aged 18-45 years who were brought to AIIMS for post-mortem examination from May 2023 to April 2024. Researchers analyzed medical histories, vaccination status, clinical findings, and autopsy results to determine underlying causes of death and any possible association with COVID-19 vaccination.
Cause analysis
Cardiovascular diseases and respiratory conditions lead sudden deaths
The study found that cardiovascular diseases were responsible for the majority of sudden deaths in the 18-45 age group. Heart attacks accounted for about 85% of all cardiac-related fatalities, while structural heart abnormalities and congenital conditions contributed to about 5% each. Respiratory conditions were implicated in 21.3% of the deaths, with choking on vomit, food or liquids being a major factor.
Vaccination status
No link found between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden deaths
The study also found no scientific evidence linking COVID-19 vaccination to sudden deaths in young adults. Despite many individuals in the study having received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccines, researchers reported no causal association between vaccination status and cause of death. Dr. Sudheer Arava, a professor of pathology at AIIMS, emphasized this finding by saying they studied nearly 100 sudden deaths over a year without finding any link to COVID-19 vaccination.
Health implications
Study highlights need for early cardiac screening
The study underscores the need for early cardiac screening, even among younger adults with risk factors such as obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyles or family history of heart disease. The findings also reassure that COVID-19 vaccines are not responsible for sudden deaths. This emphasizes the importance of evidence-based public health messaging and shifts the focus back to preventable heart disease and its early detection.