According to research presented at Heart Failure 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), heart failure patients vaccinated against COVID-19 are 82% more likely to survive than their unvaccinated counterparts.
While previous research has confirmed the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, and shown that COVID-19 outcomes are worse in heart failure patients than in those without, there has been limited investigation into the vaccine's effectiveness specifically for heart failure patients. This nationwide, retrospective study explored the prognosis of heart failure patients based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Heart failure is a critical condition affecting over 64 million people globally. According to study researchers, vaccination against COVID-19 is essential for heart failure patients to safeguard their health. The study found that vaccinated heart failure patients had a significantly lower risk of contracting COVID-19, being hospitalised for heart failure, or dying from any cause over six months compared to those unvaccinated.
The study gathered data on vaccinations and clinical outcomes. Participants who received two or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were considered vaccinated while those unvaccinated or with only one dose were considered unvaccinated.
The study analysed 651,127 heart failure patients aged 18 and older, with an average age of 69.5 years and an equal gender distribution. Among them, 538,434 (83%) were vaccinated and 112,693 (17%) were unvaccinated.
Over a median follow-up period of six months, vaccination was associated with an 82% reduction in all-cause mortality, a 47% reduction in hospitalisation for heart failure, and a 13% reduction in COVID-19 infection risk compared to no vaccination. Additionally, vaccinated patients had significantly lower risks of stroke, heart attack, myocarditis/pericarditis, and venous thromboembolism.
These findings demonstrate the substantial benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for heart failure patients. The study strongly supports vaccination for this vulnerable group. However, it's important to consider the risks of vaccination in patients with unstable heart failure conditions.
Source: ESC
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