Why Have Six People Died of Suspected Heart Attacks in Karnataka's Hassan?

Bengaluru, July 1 (NationPress) In the last 24 hours, a tragic toll of six individuals has succumbed to what is suspected to be heart attacks in the Hassan district of Karnataka.

Authorities are currently awaiting autopsy results to definitively establish the cause of death.

State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has reported that within the past month, 18 heart attack fatalities have been recorded in the same district.

Information from the Health Department reveals that among the victims of these suspected heart attacks are:

Sanjay, a 27-year-old from Somenahallikoppalu in Hassan, who collapsed while enjoying a gathering with friends on Monday evening, later passing away at the hospital. He had been married for 2.6 years.

Harshita, a 22-year-old from Hassan, tragically lost her life in an ambulance on her way to the hospital from a primary health center. She was visiting her parents’ home in Shivamogga.

Lepakshi, a 50-year-old homemaker, experienced back pain at 7:45 am on Monday at her residence in Hassan. Despite immediate medical attention, she unfortunately died from cardiac arrest.

Muttaiah, a 58-year-old English professor, collapsed while having tea in front of his college in Channarayapatna, Hassan district, and was pronounced dead from a massive heart attack.

Kumar, a 53-year-old farmer, was taken to the hospital after reporting chest pain but sadly died shortly thereafter. Health officials are awaiting his post-mortem results.

Lohit, an Army officer on leave, also fell victim to a heart attack. After serving for 20 years, he was to return to duty on July 3. He had been married for seven years.

According to District Health Department sources, a total of 21 deaths have occurred in the Hassan district over the last 40 days, with many victims under the age of 50. Alarmingly, five of those deceased were merely 20 years old.

The Health Department is treating the occurrence of 18 confirmed heart attacks within a month in Hassan with utmost seriousness.

The Health Ministry has directed officials to conduct a detailed study led by the Director of Jayadeva Institute, involving a team of experts, to address the alarming rise in heart attack cases.

Health Minister Rao stated, "To mitigate sudden cardiac arrests, the state government has initiated the Puneeth Rajkumar Hridaya Jyothi scheme."

Nonetheless, he stressed the necessity for an extensive investigation into the increasing rates of heart attacks, especially among younger individuals.

"While lifestyle changes, diet, and non-communicable diseases seem to be key factors, the situation in Hassan raises critical concerns. A team of experts has been tasked to conduct a study and deliver findings within 10 days," he remarked.

Families of the victims mentioned that these individuals had no prior health issues related to their hearts.

In response to media inquiries, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed on Monday that the government would work to uncover and tackle the underlying issues.

"Instructions have been issued for the Health Department to establish a committee to investigate this matter," he added.

"We need to identify the root cause. Once we comprehend the problem, we can pursue solutions. Our initial step is to recognize the issue and address it accordingly," he concluded.

The Karnataka government has appointed senior IAS officer and Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Gupta, to lead a 10-member expert team to investigate the recent surge in heart attacks in Hassan.