Youth Heart Attack Crisis: ICMR Study Urges Investigation Beyond Vaccines

Study on Sudden Deaths of 777 Youths in 47 Hospitals in Gujarat

A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research sheds light on the sudden increase in incidents of heart attacks among youths, placing more burden on vaccines to provide a clinical guarantee. The study analyzed the sudden deaths of 777 youths aged between 18 and 45 in 47 hospitals across Gujarat.

These youths were healthy just 48 hours prior to the incidents. The study included cases from three institutions in Gujarat: the Municipal Medical College in Ahmedabad, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology in Vadodara, and the GMERS Medical College. The findings were requested by an RTI activist from Surat.

Based on the report, discussions are ongoing regarding verbal autopsy dependent on scientific autopsies. As the cases continue to rise, there is a need for a significant number of youths to undergo cardiac health screenings and scientific autopsies in sudden death cases.

The report was requested within 48 hours, and after a second appeal, it was received after 44 days. On October 30, the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Bhavnagar stated that those who contracted severe COVID-19 should avoid heavy exertion and more strenuous exercises to prevent sudden heart attacks. On the same day, an RTI activist from Surat applied to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Delhi for information within 48 hours. The ICMR Delhi forwarded the request to ICMR Chennai. However, after 13 days, there was no response. Following another appeal, the report was received after 44 days.

The ICMR’s report aimed to identify the causes of sudden deaths among youths aged 18 to 45 in 47 hospitals across the country from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023, through a multi-site case-control study. This study involved comparative health assessments of individuals who experienced sudden death and those within the same age group residing in the same locality. Out of 29,171 identified cases, the report focused on 777 cases after applying various filters. The four main causes of sudden death identified were family history, alcohol or drug history, a history of hospitalization before contracting COVID-19, and pre-existing risk factors, with more strenuous exercise being a contributing factor.

The sample size of this report is very small considering the population of the country, but it’s a retrospective study. Its findings are based on verbal autopsies conducted at the investigation sites of all deceased individuals.

Why is it necessary? Knowing the correct cause of a sudden attack can help prevent death.

The study involves a retrospective examination of death cases.

In sudden deaths, a post-mortem examination should be conducted. The accurate cause of death can be identified through histopathological examination.

In hospital sudden-death cases, blood should be drawn promptly for lipid profile (lipoprotein-A), homocysteine, and vitamin B12 levels.

In cases where samples cannot be taken from the deceased, lipid profile testing of someone in the same age group as the deceased’s family should be conducted.

A detailed history of the deceased, including blood pressure, sugar, heart problems, or any other major illness, should be obtained to understand the situation better.

Stress levels and lifestyle factors such as food and drug/tobacco use should also be studied.

A large-scale study is necessary.

A mass screening of cardiovascular health among a significant number of youths (approximately 40-50 thousand) should be conducted monthly.

Screening should include checking for irregularities in the heartbeat (arrhythmias) as sudden death can be caused by this factor.

Echo, TMT, and heart detail examination should create a large database for analysis.

Blood pressure, diabetes, and routine blood tests (lipid profile) should also be included in the database.

Stress levels and unhealthy lifestyle habits should be investigated to pinpoint triggering points for sudden death.

Expert Panel: Dr. Saket Goyal (Interventional Cardiologist), Dr. Devang Desai (Interventional Cardiologist), Dr. Vineesh Shah (Forensic Expert)

There is a rise in sudden deaths among youths in Gujarat. Utilizing this method can help identify the true cause of death and develop new guidelines and health awareness programs to prevent sudden deaths among youths.