Dr. Philip McMillan, John McMillan
It’s not every day that you hear about a young doctor becoming critically ill. At just 29 years old, she went from being a medical student to a patient awaiting a heart transplant. Breathlessness and palpitations had suddenly spiraled into something far worse — heart failure. Her story, shared in a recent BBC report, is part of a troubling trend that raises critical questions: could this be a coincidence, or is there a deeper connection to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination efforts?
Dr. Philip McMillan, a researcher and clinician, has been sounding the alarm about this potential link. “The science was there all along,” he says. “If you understood the mechanisms, you’d see the patterns forming.” His early prediction of a heart failure epidemic seems to be coming true, as data from the United States and other countries reveal a concerning rise in cases.
Heart Failure on the Rise
Heart failure is already a significant public health issue, affecting over 6.7 million Americans today. It is often seen as a condition that affects the elderly, but recent trends tell a different story. Cases are rising among younger adults, particularly in urbanized and vaccinated regions. In the United States, heart failure is expected to affect 8.7 million people by 2030 — a significant jump from today’s numbers.
The Heart Failure Society of America’s 2024 report highlights an unsettling trend: rising mortality rates and a growing prevalence of heart failure among younger populations. This shift represents not just a medical crisis but a looming burden on families and healthcare systems. Globally, similar patterns are emerging in urbanized and heavily vaccinated regions.
So, what’s driving this trend? While lifestyle factors play a role, emerging research suggests that pandemic-era interventions, including vaccinations, may have contributed to exacerbating these issues.
The Nakahara Study: A Closer Look
In an effort to understand this surge, a team of Japanese researchers led by Dr. Takehiro Nakahara conducted a pivotal study. They analyzed PET/CT scans of over 1,000 patients and found a troubling pattern: vaccinated individuals had significantly higher glucose uptake in their heart muscles compared to unvaccinated peers.
Why does this matter? The heart typically burns fat for energy. When it starts using glucose instead, it’s a sign of stress or inflammation. This effect persisted for up to six months after vaccination, with median SUVmax values reaching 4.8 g/mL compared to 3.3 g/mL in unvaccinated individuals. This is consistent with myocarditis, a known side effect of mRNA vaccines.
The numbers are striking: more than half of the vaccinated cohort showed abnormal glucose uptake, compared to far fewer in the unvaccinated group.
The implications of the Nakahara study go beyond the immediate findings. While myocarditis is an acknowledged side effect of vaccination, the data suggest that inflammation may persist longer and affect a broader population than previously recognized.
Dr. McMillan is quick to emphasize that this isn’t about fearmongering: “We’re not just looking at heart failure cases now. We’re examining the long-term impact of repeated hits to the heart, whether from the vaccine, infection, or pre-existing conditions.”
The “multiple hit” phenomenon, where cumulative stressors compound the risk of heart failure, could explain the sudden rise in cases among younger, previously healthy individuals and may create a “perfect storm” that makes heart failure more likely.
The rise in heart failure cases isn’t just a statistic; it’s a human tragedy affecting millions. Families are grappling with the emotional and financial toll of chronic illness. At the same time, healthcare systems are strained, with limited resources to address this burgeoning crisis.
Understanding the mechanisms behind this epidemic is crucial. Dr. McMillan argues that transparency and continued research are key: “This isn’t about assigning blame. It’s about equipping ourselves with the knowledge to mitigate future risks.”
What Can Be Done?
If you’ve been vaccinated, don’t panic. Instead, focus on monitoring your health. Watch for signs like unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, or persistent palpitations.
While the damage to the heart that could lead to heart failure may not be reversible, there are ways to manage and reduce the associated risks. Public health initiatives should prioritize early detection through biomarkers and imaging, particularly in vaccinated populations. Regular check-ups and tailored care plans can help at-risk individuals monitor their heart health more closely.
For the medical community, the focus must shift toward independent, long-term research. Public trust is vital in tackling this issue. Independent studies and clear communication are essential to ensure that both healthcare professionals and the public can make informed decisions.
The heart failure epidemic is here, and its ripple effects will be felt for years to come. Addressing this crisis requires a collective effort — from scientists and healthcare providers to policymakers and the public. “This is a learning moment,” says Dr. McMillan. “We need to ask hard questions and find practical solutions. Lives depend on it.”
From the article,
“For the medical community, the focus must shift toward independent, long-term research. …”
It seems that a part of the long-term independent research should have begun 4 years ago with autopsies. And it seems like autopsies could be funded and performed locally. For example my county has about 70,000 people. Fortunately we don’t all need autopsies only some of those who die. There should be a evaluate deaths and limiting autopsies to deaths of interest.
In a neighboring state, Idaho, Dr. Ryan Cole heads a local health jurisdiction. He has noted a rise in ‘Turbo Cancers.’ He might be a model for an autopsy regimen.
Developing autopsy funding from private funds, there might not be a model. But we could make one.