Hassan heart attack deaths linked to risk factors, no unusual spike: Health Minister

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has clarified that there is no abnormal spike in sudden deaths due to heart-related causes in Hassan district, following a detailed investigation by the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.

Also read: Rising heart attack cases in Hassan: 21-year-old man dies suddenly

The probe was ordered after concerns arose over 24 reported deaths in May and June. Of these, 14 were under the age of 45 and 10 above. The findings revealed that 10 deaths were cardiac-related, with three individuals having known heart conditions. The rest showed typical heart attack symptoms and risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

Four deaths were found to be non-cardiac—linked to road accidents and other causes. Comparisons with last year's figures showed 19 deaths during the same period in 2024, indicating no significant increase.

The investigation extended beyond Hassan to Mysuru and Kalaburagi. In one part of the report, of 20 deaths reviewed, 75% were disease-related. In the remaining 25%, lack of detailed family information limited conclusions.

Post-mortems of four Hassan cases revealed two individuals had undiagnosed familial hypercholesterolemia. Several of the deceased were smokers or consumed alcohol.

The Technical Advisory Committee has recommended early screening for 15-year-olds, increased CPR training, and targeted health checks for transport workers to mitigate future risks.