Parliament Question: Sudden increase in cardiac death cases

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 426 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3rd FEBRUARY, 2026 SUDDEN INCREASE IN CARDIAC DEATH CASES 426. SHRI C. VE. SHANMUGAM: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that there is an unusual increase in the number of Sudden Cardiac Death cases in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether Government has conducted any study to ascertain the reasons behind this trend amongst individuals with a history of COVID-19 illness in the country; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) the number of people in the country who have died due to cardiac arrest with history of COVID-19 disease, State-wise including Tamil Nadu? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (e): Sudden Cardiac Deaths (SCDs) have been reported in some people after COVID- 19. However, sufficient evidence is not available to confirm the cause of such deaths. To ascertain the facts regarding the apprehension of rising cases of SCD after COVID-19, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) conducted a study titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – A multicentric matched case–control study” at 47 tertiary care hospitals located across 19 states/UT of India during May- August 2023. The study observed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviors increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death. *****