The American Heart Association has issued a statement warning that false information about COVID vaccination and heart defects attributed to the Association may be spreading. The misinformation is inaccurately and incorrectly connected to a recent scientific paper on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Image courtesy: American Heart Association
May 24, 2024 — The American Heart Association has issued a statement warning that false information about COVID vaccination and heart defects attributed to the Association may be spreading. The misinformation is inaccurately and incorrectly connected to a recent scientific paper on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.
The written statement was issued through a May 23 news release titled, “Beware: Myths incorrectly connecting COVID vaccine to heart defects may be spreading,” and reported that the Association issued a fraud warning and urges individuals to check reputable sources – such as peer-reviewed scientific journal and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – and discuss medical questions with their healthcare provider.
The American Heart Association statement emphasized that AHA’s 2023 Cardio-Kidney Metabolic Health scientific statement, as detailed in the news release, as well as the presidential advisory and manuscript, does not include any references to COVD-19 vaccination or vaccines of any kind.
These false articles and accompanying social media posts are misleading and make connections that cannot be attributed to the American Heart Association or its scientific statement, noted the statement. It also noted that the articles do not reflect the Association's policy or position and the organization’s name is being used without permission. The Association supports COVID-19 vaccinations as safe and effective.
The myths are posted and cross referenced to several websites including one noted as one of the largest producers of fake news by Poynter Institute-accredited factcheckers such as Snopes, FactCheck.org and others.
Medical misinformation can spread rapidly and be deadly. As noted by editors of more than two dozen cardiology-related scientific journals around the world in a 2019 editorial, "human lives are at stake" because of medical misinformation.
Additional Resources:
AHA COVID vaccine information: Get the facts and find answers to COVID-19 vaccination questions
AHA fraud warning
AHA journal Circulation editorial: Medical Misinformation: Vet the Message!
More information: www.heart.org
July 26, 2024 
