Is the COVID Vaccine Safe for People With Heart Problems?

COVID-19 vaccines present no special problems for people with conditions that affect their heart. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) encourages people with heart problems and stroke survivors to get vaccinated because COVID presents a bigger risk. 

In clinical trials, the vaccines worked just as well for people with underlying health conditions as they did in generally healthy people. 

If I have a heart condition, am I more likely to have side effects from the vaccine?

No. A heart condition doesn’t make side effects (or a severe reaction) any more likely. According to the AHA, the risk of complications from the vaccine is very small, even for people with underlying health conditions.

While the COVID vaccines can cause side effects, most are short lived and mild. Common side effects include injection site pain, fever, and muscle soreness that go away on their own in a few days.

Which is riskier for people with heart conditions: COVID infection or the vaccine?

Having COVID is much riskier than getting the vaccine. This is especially true for people with an underlying health condition. 

The COVID vaccines are safe and effective. In comparison, having COVID can cause severe illness or death in people with heart problems. For example, you may be more at risk for COVID complications if you have:

• A heart valve problem

• High blood pressure

• Heart failure

• Atrial fibrillation

This is why the CDC recommends vaccination for people with underlying conditions, including heart conditions. 

Can the COVID vaccine lead to heart problems?

Although COVID vaccines are generally very safe, they’ve been linked to some rare heart complications. This risk is much less than the risk of heart problems from COVID. 

And getting vaccinated for COVID makes it less likely that you’ll have a serious heart condition overall. A large study of over 8 million adults in Sweden found that people who had the full COVID vaccine series were less likely to develop heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure compared with those who were unvaccinated.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Can COVID cause high blood pressure? Here’s what research shows about the connection between COVID and high blood pressure. 

• COVID infection and heart health: Learn more about the link between COVID infection and heart health.

• COVID vaccine side effects: Most side effects from COVID vaccines are short-lived and mild. Here’s what to expect.

Let’s review what the research shows about COVID vaccines and the heart. 

COVID vaccine and myocarditis

Myocarditis is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed. This can make it hard for the heart to pump blood. People with myocarditis may experience chest pain, trouble breathing or heart racing. 

Myocarditis can be a rare complication of COVID vaccines. When it does happen, it’s most likely to affect adolescent and young adult males. Symptoms usually start within 7 days of the second dose of the initial mRNA COVID vaccine series. It’s less likely to happen after a COVID booster shot, but there’s still some increased risk. 

Researchers estimate that your chance of getting myocarditis is anywhere from 7 to 20 times higher from a COVID infection than it is from a COVID vaccine. And most people with myocarditis after COVID vaccine have mild symptoms and recover fully. 

COVID vaccine and pericarditis

Pericarditis is a condition when the tissue lining of the heart becomes inflamed. It causes symptoms that are similar to myocarditis, like chest pain and trouble taking a deep breath. 

Pericarditis, like myocarditis, can be a very rare side effect of the COVID vaccine. It’s also more common in young males. It’s usually mild and resolves without treatment. 

COVID vaccine and heart palpitations

Some studies suggest that the COVID vaccine can lead to brief episodes of extra heartbeats, known as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). These extra heartbeats aren’t dangerous, and usually don’t need any intervention. But they might cause palpitations, a feeling of flutter or pounding in your chest. 

COVID vaccine and atrial fibrillation

The COVID vaccine may also lead to a very small increased chance of other arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, or AFib. AFib can lead to more serious heart problems. While studies have been mixed, there’s some evidence that the COVID vaccine may increase the risk of developing AFib. 

How does COVID infection affect my heart?

COVID can lead to lasting heart damage. Studies have found that COVID can lead to heart problems in people of all ages, races, or gender. And these problems tend to be more severe than the rare complications linked to the COVID vaccine. 

More severe COVID infections are more likely to lead to heart problems, but heart conditions can develop even in people with mild symptoms. 

COVID infection leads to an increased risk of:

• Abnormal heart rhythm (known as arrhythmias)

• Heart attacks (known as myocardial infarction)

• Myocarditis 

• Pericarditis

• Enlarged heart (known as cardiomyopathy)

• Heart failure

• Blood clots to the heart or lungs

• High blood pressure

If I have a heart condition, how can I protect myself against COVID?

If you have a heart condition, you can continue to protect yourself, your community, and your loved ones by:

• Staying up to date with your COVID vaccines

• Practicing good hygiene, including washing your hands often

• Opening windows and taking other steps to promote clean air and ventilation

• Wearing a mask when in high-risk settings

If you have a heart condition and you do get sick with COVID, reach out to your healthcare team. Getting early treatment for COVID can help lower your risk for developing new or worse heart problems. 

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts