mRNA vaccines against the coronavirus are safe and associated with a reduced risk of death in heart failure patients, a new Danish scientific study shows. The study reassures that vaccines Covid-19 they do not worsen heart failure, nor are they associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism or myocarditis in these heart patients.
The researchers, led by Dr. Caroline Sydet-Pedersen of the Herlev & Gentolfe Hospital, who made the relevant announcement at an international conference of the European Society of Cardiology in Barcelona, analyzed data on 50.893 unvaccinated people with heart failure and as many others vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna, the who had an average age of 74 years and an average duration of heart failure diagnosis of four years.
Participants were followed for 90 days after their second dose of vaccination. It found that the average all-cause mortality over this period was 2,2% for vaccinated heart patients versus 2,6% for unvaccinated ones. The probability of heart failure worsening was 1,1% for both groups of patients, and the rates of thromboembolism or myocarditis were also similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects.
"Our findings show that patients with heart failure should be given priority for vaccinations against it Covid-19 and booster doses. Studies showing the safety of these vaccines are essential in order to reassure those who may still be hesitant and thus ensure continued vaccinations," said Sydet-Pedersen. "Our study shows that there should be no concern about cardiovascular side effects from mRNA vaccines in heart failure patients. Additionally, there is a positive effect of vaccination on mortality," he added.
The Danish researchers pointed out that heart failure patients face an increased risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death if they become ill with Covid-19. Vaccination reduces all these risks.
Source: RES-EAP