Popular Tamil comedian Vivek suffers heart attack a day after getting Covid-19 vaccine; Know what hospital has to say

Chennai: The SRM Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), where popular Tamil comedian and Padmi Shri Vivek was admitted, on Friday clarified that COVID vaccine has nothing to do with the actor suffering a cardiac arrest.

The actor, who took the first dose of COVID vaccine jab yesterday, suffered a cardiac arrest and was admitted in the ICU in a critical condition.

Talking to reporters, SIMS Hospital Director, Medical Services Dr Vijaykumar Chokkan and Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan said the actor had 100 per cent block on the left artery following which blood supply to the brain was affected.

He suffered the cardiac arrest because of the block and it has nothing to do with the covid vaccine.

“This is an acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock. This is a separate cardiac event. It may not be due to COVID vaccination”, Dr Vijayakumar said.

They said Vivek was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state at 1100 hrs to the emergency by his family members.

He was resuscitated in the emergency room by specialists.

“Later, he underwent emergency coronary angiogram followed by angioplasty”, they said.

Vivek is currently in a critical condition and was put on ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) support in the ICU.

He would be observed in the ICU for the next 24hrs.

Terming the actor suffering heart attack as unfortunate, Dr Radhakrishnan said Vivek has tested negative for COVID.

He said the guidelines issued by the Centre was clearly followed while administering the COVID vaccine and appealed to the people to take the vaccination. (UNI)