COVID-19 Vaccinations Not Linked to Increased Heart Attack Risk

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted in Ecuador has revealed that COVID-19 vaccinations are not associated with an increased risk of heart attack, contrary to prevailing misinformation. The study analyzed over 26,000 heart attack deaths and 24,000 COVID-19 deaths in Ecuador from January 2021 to December 2022. The findings directly counter misinformation linking vaccines to heart attacks and provide evidence to support vaccination campaigns, particularly in high-risk settings. According to the study, daily COVID-19 deaths were significantly associated with an increase in heart attack mortality, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection, not vaccination, is the true association between COVID-19 and heart attack mortality.

Key Takeaways:

  • A nationwide study in Ecuador examined the association between COVID-19 infections, vaccinations, and heart attack mortality.
  • The study analyzed 710 days of national health registry data from January 2021 to December 2022.
  • The dataset included daily counts of heart attack deaths, COVID-19 deaths, and COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Time-series regression models were used to assess the association between heart attack mortality and COVID-19 deaths and vaccination rates.
  • The study found no significant association between COVID-19 vaccinations and increased heart attack risk.
  • Daily COVID-19 deaths were significantly associated with an increase in heart attack mortality.
  • The study concluded that SARS-CoV-2 infection, not vaccination, is the true association between COVID-19 and heart attack mortality.
  • The research provides evidence to support vaccination campaigns, particularly in high-risk and high-mortality settings.
  • The study highlights the importance of addressing misinformation linking vaccines to heart attacks.

Statistics:

  • 26,637 myocardial infarction (MI) deaths were recorded during the study period.
  • 24,066 COVID-19 deaths were recorded during the study period.
  • The study analyzed 710 days of data from January 2021 to December 2022.
  • Time-series regression models were used to assess the association between heart attack mortality and COVID-19 deaths and vaccination rates.
  • The study found a significant association between daily COVID-19 deaths and an increase in heart attack mortality (b = 0.08667, p < 0.001).

Sources:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection, not vaccination, the true association between COVID-19 and myocardial infarction mortality: A nationwide study in Ecuador. International Journal of Cardiology Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention, 2025;27:200496.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings in COVID-19 Described by Researchers from Cardiology Service (SARS-CoV-2 infection, not vaccination, the true association between COVID-19 and myocardial infarction mortality: A nationwide study in Ecuador). Vaccine Weekly. September 17, 2025; p 262.