Covid Vaccine Linked to Lower Risk of Heart Attacks and Stroke in Veterans Study

U.S. veterans found that recent Covid vaccination was associated with lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, hospitalizations, and deaths. The research, published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine, tracked more than one million veterans who received flu shots at Veterans Affairs facilities in 2024.

Roughly one-third also received a Covid vaccine that year. Researchers reported a 38 percent lower risk of Covid-associated major cardiovascular events among those who received a Covid shot. The reduction reached nearly 24 percent for all-cause cardiac events regardless of documented Covid infection.

The benefit was strongest among veterans aged 75 and older and those with chronic kidney or lung disease. Authors estimated the findings could translate to prevention of roughly 3,500 major cardiac events and 2,400 deaths per million people each year.

Study leader Ziyad Al-Aly of Washington University in St. Louis said unrecognized Covid infections likely explain part of the broader cardiac benefit. He noted many people who felt unwell did not test and later experienced cardiovascular events.

Califf, a cardiologist and former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, wrote an accompanying commentary. He said multiple studies now link various vaccines to reduced chronic disease risk, including cardiovascular conditions. Califf also noted changes in testing practices make it harder to confirm subsequent infections.

U.S. adults and about 55 percent against symptomatic disease in older European adults. Al-Aly said Covid remains widespread even if many cases go unrecognized. He stated that forgoing updated vaccination leaves protection against heart problems on the table, particularly for higher-risk groups.