Benefits and Harms of COVID-19 Vaccines in Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Chung-Yen Chen; Ta-Chen Su

doi:10.12997/jla.2023.12.2.119

Benefits and Harms of COVID-19 Vaccines in Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review

J Lipid Atheroscler. 2023 May;12(2):119-131. doi: 10.12997/jla.2023.12.2.119. Epub 2023 May 19.

Authors

Chung-Yen Chen^{1

2

3}, Ta-Chen Su^{2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Douliu, Taiwan.
² Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tend to have a worse prognosis and more severe cardiovascular side effects. COVID-19 vaccines, which are intended to prevent COVID-19, may also potentially reduce the severity and complications (including cardiovascular sequelae) of COVID-19, especially in patients with a history of CVD. However, there have also been reports of cardiovascular side effects from COVID-19 vaccines of various brands and types. The purpose of this study is to review the benefits and harms of COVID-19 vaccines in relation to CVD. In this thorough review of the most current evidence on the benefits and harms of COVID-19 vaccines, we present information about the characteristics of cardiovascular complications. Most of the evidence focuses on myocarditis or pericarditis, which are most strongly associated with mRNA vaccines and predominantly occur in young males within days of receiving the second dose. Meanwhile, post-vaccination myocardial infarction is more common in older males, and the first dose of adenoviral vector vaccines appears to play a greater role in this complication. This information may guide us in formulating alternative options and implementing targeted surveillance. Gaining more knowledge about the potential benefits and harms of COVID-19 vaccines will improve our ability to make informed decisions and judgments about the balance of these factors.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; COVID-19; Cardiovascular diseases; Vaccines.

Publication types

Review