Heart Attack Surge Continues In Karnataka's Hassan As Authorities Scramble For Answers

Last Updated:July 02, 2025, 10:11 IST

18 deaths were reported between May 28 and June 29, while five more deaths have been reported between June 30 and July 1, pointing to an alarming trend involving younger victims

Akshitha (left) aged 22 and Sanjay (right) aged 30 died due to heart attacks in Karnataka's Hassan. (News18)

A distressing wave of heart attack fatalities continues in Karnataka’s Hassan district, with government figures pegging the fatalities at 18 in a one-month span between May 28 and June 29. At least five more deaths have been reported between June 30 and July 1, pointing to an alarming trend that includes younger victims.

Young Man Succumbs After Party

On Monday evening, 30-year-old Sanjay, a resident of Somanahalli village in Holenarasipura taluk, died after experiencing a sudden increase in blood pressure. Sanjay had reportedly been at a party with friends when he complained of chest pain and an inability to walk. His friends immediately rushed him to the Somanahalli Primary Health Centre, where doctors recorded his blood pressure at an alarming 220 mmHg. Despite efforts to refer him for advanced treatment, Sanjay tragically passed away.

The deceased had been married for only two-and-a-half months. His relatives have filed a complaint suspecting foul play, leading to a case of suspicious death being registered at the Hallimysuru police station. His body has been moved to the Holenarasipura Taluk Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Young Mother Dies Postpartum

Akshitha, a 22-year-old woman from Kommenahalli in Hassan, succumbed to a heart attack in Shivamogga district. The young mother, who had given birth just a month-and-a-half ago, was at her maternal home in Ayanur, Shivamogga, for postpartum care.

Akshitha experienced chest pain on Monday night and called her husband, who was in Hassan, to be with her. Tragically, she passed away enroute to Ayanur hospital while being transported by ambulance. The unfortunate death adds to the increasing number of heart attack cases being reported, particularly among younger individuals in the region.

District-Wide Concern and Official Response

The preliminary data on the 18 reported deaths between May 28 and June 29, 2025, reveals a grim picture across various age groups: four individuals under 20 (two males, two females), one female between 21 and 29, five males between 30 and 40, seven males between 41 and 59, and one male above 60.

In light of this alarming trend, a high-level meeting was convened on June 30 at the Hassan District Collector’s office. Chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Health & Family Welfare Department, the gathering included key medical professionals such as the Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, the Hassan District Health and Family Welfare Officer, District Surgeon, Medical Superintendent, and District Surveillance Officer.

During the urgent discussions, critical directives were issued to address the crisis. A district-level committee has been mandated to investigate the factual circumstances of each reported heart attack death. Furthermore, an existing expert committee, operating under the chairmanship of the Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, has been specifically tasked with probing sudden deaths potentially linked to Covid-19 or its vaccine side effects. This committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report within 10 days, aiming to shed light on potential contributing factors.

To bolster the district’s cardiac care infrastructure, the first phase of the STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) programme, under the National Health Mission’s NCD initiative, has been operational since March 2023. This crucial programme is active at Hassan District Hospital, Public Hospital Channarayapattana, and Public Hospital Holenarasipura.

Statistical data from March 2023 to May 2025 indicates that a staggering 37,847 ECGs for heart-related ailments were performed. Of these, 795 cases were identified as STEMI. Upon further examination at designated ‘hubs’, 480 cases were confirmed as STEMI, leading to successful treatment for 420 patients. However, tragically, 60 patients succumbed during this period.

The year-wise breakdown of these fatalities reveals 23 deaths in the financial year 2023-24, 21 in 2024-25, and 16 from January to June 2025, highlighting a persistent challenge in mitigating these fatal cardiac events. The authorities are now racing against time to understand the underlying causes and implement more effective preventive and treatment strategies.

Harish Upadhya

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...Read More

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...

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Location :

Hassan, India, India

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