A sudden spike in heart attack fatalities in Karnataka’s Hassan district has triggered alarm among residents and health officials alike. With three more deaths on Monday, the district has recorded 21 cardiac-related deaths in just 40 days. The number is deeply concerning with a significant rise in deaths of young adults under the age of 45.
According to a News18 report, out of the 21 fatalities, five were aged between 19–25 and eight were between 25–45, raising deep concern over the unusually young age of many victims. Health department data shows that Hassan district witnessed 190 fatal heart attacks out of 507 cases over the past two years, but the recent pattern is particularly disturbing due to the age profile of the deceased.
The three individuals who died on Monday included Lepakshi (50) from JP Nagar in Belur, who suddenly collapsed after reporting fatigue; Professor Muttayya (58), an English lecturer from Holenarasipura, who suffered a fatal heart attack while drinking tea; and Kumar (57), a D-Group employee from Channarayapattana, who died of cardiac arrest after being admitted to the hospital with chest pain on Sunday.
The situation has led to an 8% surge in outpatient visits to Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bengaluru, as more people seek cardiac evaluations amid growing anxiety. OPDs are reportedly overwhelmed, said News18
The state government in response has initiated a high-level probe, forming a committee under Dr Ravindranath, Director of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research following orders from Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Health Department, said News18
Initial findings reveal that among the first 18 heart attack deaths, nine were over 55 with existing co-morbidities, while five were in their 20s, including four who died in Bengaluru but belonged to Hassan and reportedly had no known chronic illnesses. A significant number of these deaths occurred at home, leading authorities to initiate a thorough review of the victims’ medical histories
Gupta said that early assessments by doctors at Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences point to the possibility of genetic factors affecting cardiac muscles, in addition to other underlying health conditions.
“We’ve sought a detailed report into these nine cases to understand whether genetics, undiagnosed diseases, or other issues may be at play,” Gupta said.
The investigative committee that was initially formedto examine potential post-COVID-19 heart complications in February, has now been instructed to with a comprehensive review of all heart attack deaths in Hassan. The panel is expected to submit its findings within 10 days.
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