16/11/2025
A new large-scale study has found that people who received COVID-19 vaccines experienced a lower incidence of heart attacks and strokes compared to those who were unvaccinated or before they received their shots.
Analyzing the health records of 46 million adults, researchers discovered that rates of arterial thromboses—like heart attacks and strokes—were up to 27% lower following a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 20% lower after the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
Similar reductions were observed for venous thrombotic events such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. These findings offer strong reassurance about the cardiovascular safety of COVID-19 vaccines, including first, second, and booster doses.
While rare side effects such as myocarditis and vaccine-induced blood clots have been noted in past research, this study did not identify any new cardiovascular risks. Experts suggest that the higher risk of cardiovascular disease following COVID-19 infection itself may help explain why vaccinated individuals experience fewer heart-related events. By linking data from general practices, hospitals, and death records, the study confirms the broader protective benefits of vaccination—not only against COVID-19, but also in reducing common cardiovascular events—reinforcing that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the rare risks.
paper
Ip, S et al. Cohort study of cardiovascular safety of different COVID-19 vaccination doses among 46 million adults in England. Nature Communications; 31 Jul
