Hassan heart attack scare: Karnataka health minister says no spurt in cases, but fatalities among young adults worrying

Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, on Thursday, stated there was no spurt in the sudden cardiac deaths in Hassan, but young adults (below 45 years) succumbing to heart attacks was worrying. 

The minister who released the investigation report into the sudden deaths reported in Hassan over the last two months, stated that the government would initiate an early cardiovascular screening and preventive healthcare programmes in schools. 

The technical committee of experts led by Dr KS Raveendranath, director of Jayadeva Heart Institute, Bengaluru that analysed 24 deaths that occurred in May-June 2025 in Hassan, noted that four out of 24 deaths were non-cardiac, with causes including chronic kidney disease, road accident, acute gastroenteritis, and suspected electrocution. Of the remaining 20 deaths, 10 were confirmed cardiac deaths, with 3 having pre-existing heart disease. As many as 10 deaths were classified as probable cardiac deaths based on presentation, risk factors, and symptoms.

"At least six out of the 20 deaths reported in Hassan were that of auto and cab drivers. Also, nearly 30 percent of the patients being treated at the Jayadeva Heart  Institute, Bangalore, and its peripheral centers in Mysuru and Kalaburgi have shown that drivers are in the high risk category. The risk factors could be sedentary lifestyle, eating outside food, lack of sleep, pollution and most importantly, smoking and alcoholism. There is a need for preventive healthcare just like the KSRTC and BMTC drivers are being regularly screened at Jayadeva hospital," said Rao. 

The investigation highlighted the need for systemic improvements in emergency response protocols, mandatory post-mortem guidelines for sudden deaths, and better community engagement during such investigations.

The panel has also recommended establishing a Cardiac Health Surveillance Program, ensuring availability of ECG machines and emergency cardiac medicines, strengthening emergency response, and implementing cardiac screening for auto and cab drivers.

Incidentally, the average number of heart attack patients admitted to Jayadeva institute at Bengaluru, Mysuru and Kalaburgi every month is 2,000, 900 and 450 respectively. And the percentage deaths due to heart attack cases (those admitted) is around 6.5%. 

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