Covid-19 is often linked with an increase in heart attacks in India, but there is no scientific evidence establishing the link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and heart attacks. However, Covid-19 can affect the heart by causing temporary or lasting damage to heart tissue. This can happen due to several factors such as a lack of oxygen, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that the government has funded research to find a link between the increasing rates of heart attacks in India, and Covid-19 infection, and that the results are expected in two to three months, NDTV reported.
In an exclusive interview to the news outlet, Mandaviya said that the cases of heart attacks in young people have increased, because of which it is important for the government to investigate the cause.
The minister said that the CoWIN platform has provided all vaccination data required to conduct the study. For the last three to four months, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been studying the link between strokes and Covid-19, the minister added.
Mandaviya also said that 214 different variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been found in India so far, and that the virus keeps mutating. However, he said, the government is prepared to deal with the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, according to the report.
There is a weekly review of preparedness, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, oxygen supply and other critical care arrangements are in place.
The minister stated that the Omicron subvariants that are driving the current spike in cases are not dangerous enough to cause catastrophe, according to the report.
The XBB1.16 subvariant is responsible for the recent surge in infections.
Speaking about a possible fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mandaviya warned that the country needs to be alert.
Quoting Mandaviya, the report said that whenever a new variant is detected, it is identified and isolated in a lab, and then the efficacy of vaccines on it is studied. The minister stated that so far, all of India's vaccines have worked against all present Covid-19 variants.
Mandaviya said on Twitter Tuesday that the country needs to remain alert, but there is no need to worry.
He also said that currently, the Omicron subvariant circulating in the country has not increased hospitalisations.