Cardiovascular Complications Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination: A Review of Current Evidence

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has created an unprecedented global health challenge. Vaccination campaigns have played a crucial role in reducing infection rates, severe disease, hospitalizations, and mortality worldwide. Although COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy and an overall favorable safety profile, rare cardiovascular adverse events have been reported through post-vaccination surveillance systems.

Reported cardiovascular events following COVID-19 vaccination include myocarditis, pericarditis, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, blood pressure changes, and stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo syndrome). Among these, myocarditis and pericarditis have been the most frequently documented conditions, particularly after mRNA vaccines and predominantly among young males following the second dose. Most cases described in the literature have been mild and self-limiting with favorable clinical outcomes. Large epidemiological studies consistently demonstrate that the risk of cardiovascular complications following SARS-CoV-2 infection is significantly higher than the risk observed after vaccination.
Although rare cardiovascular adverse events have been documented after COVID-19 vaccination, current evidence indicates that these events occur infrequently and are generally associated with mild clinical courses. The benefits of vaccination in preventing severe COVID-19 and its cardiovascular complications clearly outweigh the potential risks. Continued pharmacovigilance and long-term epidemiological studies remain essential to further clarify the mechanisms and incidence of these complications.