Why did heart attack deaths rise in a Karnataka district recently?

Karnataka’s Hassan district has been in the news since May due to reported surges in heart attack-related deaths, particularly among younger individuals. The phenomenon, highlighted by media and public discourse, has prompted governmental and medical responses to investigate potential causes and address public health concerns.

What emerged from a statistical analysis and official reports is that the number of people visiting healthcare centres with symptoms of heart attack has gone up, as news about the surge in deaths surged. Further, there has been a rise in cases of heart attacks since the COVID-19 pandemic, although no link has been found with COVID-19 vaccines.

Statistical overview

In the 40 day period between May 14 and June 22, 2025, media outlets reported 22 heart attack-related deaths in Hassan district, with a notable proportion involving individuals under 45 years old, including five aged 19-25 years and eight aged 25-45.

Official data from the District Health and Family Welfare Department indicated that over the past two years, Hassan recorded 507 heart attack cases, resulting in 190 fatalities, averaging around 36 deaths per month.

Comparatively, state-wide figures show Karnataka reported 6,943 heart attack-linked deaths from January to May 2025, averaging 1,388 per month, with Bengaluru alone accounting for 2,599 deaths, or roughly 520 per month.

An investigative report led by Dr KS Ravindranath, director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, analysed 24 cases in Hassan and found no statistically significant increase in cardiac deaths compared to state-wide trends.

Of these cases, four were non-cardiac, 10 were confirmed cardiac deaths, and the rest involved heart-related ailments. Over 75 per cent of the deceased had risk factors such as smoking (6 cases), diabetes (7), hypertension (6), obesity (8), alcohol use (8), and pre-existing heart disease (3).

The lack of autopsies and clinical records in many cases limited definitive conclusions, but the data suggests the incidence in Hassan is consistent with broader state trends.

Official response & health minister’s statements 

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has addressed the situation with urgency, emphasising scientific investigation. On June 30, 2025, he announced a formal inquiry, stating that the Health Department has taken seriously the occurrence of 18 heart attacks in Hassan district within a one-month period and instructed a study under the leadership of the director of the Jayadeva Institute to obtain a report regarding the increasing number of heart attacks.

In discussions, Rao noted a 4 per cent rise in reported heart attack cases post-COVID compared to pre-COVID times, attributing this to increased public awareness and more hospital visits, which he sees as positive for early detection.

He highlighted a 20-25 per cent surge in patient numbers at Jayadeva’s branches, with Bengaluru’s main centre rising from 1,200–1,300 to nearly 1,800 daily, Mysuru from 700–800 to 1,000, and Kalaburagi from 400 to 600.

Rao addressed vaccine concerns, stating that the expert committee’s findings, supported by international research, found no correlation between vaccination and cardiac events. He emphasised that there is no evidence of adverse effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, as confirmed by both global and local studies.

To mitigate the crisis, he announced that sudden cardiac deaths under 45 would be notifiable, requiring autopsies and reporting, and outlined plans for expanded screening, including ECG camps and extending the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Yojane to taluk hospitals.

Expert views on causes

Experts from the Sri Jayadeva Institute provided critical insights. Dr KS Ravindranath emphasised, “The incidence in Hassan seems to be more or less the same as what is known to be the incidence across the state.” His team’s pilot study of 251 patients under 45 found no single cause, identifying risk factors like smoking (over 50 per cent of young patients), hypertension (15–20 per cent), diabetes, cholesterol issues (25 per cent), obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

Dr Rahul Patil, head of Premature Heart Disease at Jayadeva, noted a 5-6 per cent post-COVID rise in risk factors, with smoking dominant among those under 40.

Dr CN Manjunath, former director, dismissed a new trend, linking it to long-standing lifestyle issues like stress and poor diet. The Indian Medical Association has not issued a direct statement on Hassan but aligns with these findings, advocating for NCD awareness and early screening, emphasizing lifestyle modifications. 

Public hysteria, increased demand for cardiac testing

Media coverage, highlighting young victims, sparked widespread anxiety, leading to a surge in hospital visits. The Jayadeva Institute reported an 8-25 per cent increase in outpatient visits, with Bengaluru’s center rising to 1,800 daily, Mysuru to 1,000, and Kalaburagi to 600.

The Medical administrators in hospitals have mentioned that a 20 per cent spike in emergency visits, with many seeking reassurance.

Health Minister Rao viewed this positively, noting, “People coming in large numbers to check is a good sign. They are worried and want to lay their doubts to rest.”

The state launched initiatives like the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Yojane, screening 750,000 patients since November 2023, to meet demand.

Broader implications & recommendations

The Hassan cases reflect India’s growing cardiovascular burden, with a 2023 Lancet study showing 26.6 per cent of deaths due to heart disease, higher than global averages, and onset at 53 years vs 58.8 globally. The state’s response, including mandatory reporting and screening, is proactive, but challenges like autopsy data and rural healthcare need addressing. Recommendations include installing AEDs and CPR training for better emergency response.

The reported surge in Hassan, while not anomalous, highlights cardiovascular health gaps. Official data and expert views point to lifestyle and genetic factors, with no vaccine link found. Public hysteria has driven a positive shift toward preventive care, but sustained efforts in education and infrastructure are crucial for Karnataka and beyond.