COVID-19 vaccines were associated with fewer cardiovascular events, according to research led by Cambridge, Bristol, and Edinburgh Universities. The study involved nearly the full adult population of England and found that the incidence of heart attacks and strokes were lower after vaccination. 

Data scientists analyzed the de-identified health records of 46 million adults in England between December 2020 and January 2022, comparing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases after vaccination with the incidence before or without vaccination. 

The incidence of arterial thromboses, such as heart attacks and strokes, was as much as 10% lower in the weeks after the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and was lower yet (20%–27%) after a second dose. The incidence of common venous thrombotic events — mainly pulmonary embolism and lower limb deep venous thrombosis — followed a similar pattern. 

The incidence of cardiovascular disease is higher after infection with COVID-19, especially in severe cases, which may explain why vaccinated people have fewer heart attacks and strokes than those who were not vaccinated. Previous research found the incidence of rare cardiovascular complications to be higher after some COVID-19 vaccines. While this study supports these findings, it did not identify new adverse cardiovascular conditions associated with COVID-19 vaccination.

“This England-wide study offers patients reassurance of the cardiovascular safety of first, second, and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines,” said the study authors. “It demonstrates that the benefits of second and booster doses, with fewer common cardiovascular events after vaccination, outweigh the very rare cardiovascular complications.” While the study was conducted in the United Kingdom, the large sample size makes the findings generally applicable to nations with comparable demographics and healthcare systems, they suggested. 

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