A new research report from the UK has shown something very important — getting the COVID-19 vaccine can actually reduce the chances of heart attacks and strokes. The study was done by British Heart Foundation (BHF) Data Science Centre and Health Data Research UK. Researchers checked the health records of more than 45 million adults in England between December 2020 to January 2022. Let’s understand what the report says in simple language.
Study Included Over 90% of UK Adults
In this time, 90% of adults in the UK took at least one dose of COVID vaccines — like Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca. A total of 37.3 million people received their first dose and were eligible for the second.
Researchers found that after vaccination, the risk of heart attacks and strokes went down, especially in the first few weeks after taking the vaccine.
Heart Problems Were Fewer After Vaccine
During the study, there were:
- 5,655 arterial thrombotic events (which can cause heart attacks)
- 21,230 venous thrombotic events (like deep vein thrombosis)
- 1,885 cases of thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets)
- 590 cases of myocarditis (heart inflammation)
- 455 of pericarditis (inflammation around heart)
But the researchers said most people had a lower risk of heart-related problems after getting vaccinated.
Some Small Risks With Specific Vaccines
However, there were some very rare side effects:
- Myocarditis was slightly higher after Pfizer vaccine, especially in the first week after first dose.
- Thrombocytopenia was slightly more after AstraZeneca vaccine, around 2 weeks after first dose.
- Vaccine-induced clotting problems were also seen in very few cases, mainly with adenovirus-based vaccines.
Still, doctors say these cases are very rare compared to the overall benefits.
Experts Say: Benefits Are Much Bigger Than Risks
Dr. William Whiteley from the University of Edinburgh said,
“This large study proves that COVID vaccines are safe for the heart. The chances of heart attacks and strokes go down after vaccination.”
Another co-author, Dr. Venexia Walker from the University of Bristol, added,
“Vaccines are very important to protect from COVID. We must keep studying them to understand all benefits and risks.”
Conclusion
This UK study gives a strong message — COVID-19 vaccines not only protect us from the virus, but they also reduce chances of serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes. There are some rare risks, but they are very low compared to the big benefits.
So, this is good news for people who are still thinking about vaccination. Health experts continue to say — vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving.
FAQs
Q1: Do COVID-19 vaccines cause heart problems?
In very rare cases, some people had mild heart inflammation or low platelets. But overall, the study shows that heart-related risks are lower after vaccination.
Q2: Which vaccines were included in the study?
The study included Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines.
Q3: Should I be worried about taking the vaccine?
No. According to the study, the chances of heart attacks and strokes are lower after vaccination. The rare side effects are very uncommon.
Q4: Is it safe to take the second or booster dose?
Yes. The study showed that second and booster doses also reduced heart risks even more than the first dose.
Q5: Where was this study done?
The study was conducted across England using health records of 45.7 million adults.