Bengaluru/Mysuru: A series of sudden deaths attributed to cardiac ailments among individuals under 40 in Karnataka has prompted urgent investigations by both the state govt and cardiologists’ bodies in Hassan and Mysuru.
At least 18 deaths reported over a one-month period in Hassan are now being formally investigated by a committee headed by Dr K S Ravindranath, director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, in collaboration with Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS).
The committee’s report is to be submitted within 10 days. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said the govt will verify deaths and take appropriate action.
Dr Rajanna B, the HIMS director, confirmed that the deaths being reviewed had occurred between May 28 and June 28, 2025.
“Fourteen of the deceased died at home without consulting doctors. Around nine people were aged under 30, while most others were above 50,” he said.
With many of the deaths having occurred too long ago for a post-mortem, investigators are primarily relying on medical histories and accounts from local doctors and families.
Dr KS Sadananda, superintendent of Jayadeva Mysuru, said: “We now see 3-4 young patients suffering heart attacks daily — many with no prior symptoms.”
Earlier, admissions were largely limited to those with known conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or smoking habits.
Harsh Gupta, the health and family welfare principal secretary said the committee — previously convened for Covid-related reviews — has now been tasked with investigating these deaths.
The sudden surge in cardiac fatalities has triggered public anxiety. “Emergency OPDs at Jayadeva hospitals in Bengaluru and Mysuru have seen a 20% spike in footfall, while 200-300 additional outpatients each in Bengaluru and Mysuru were seen in general OPD on Monday,” Dr Ravindranath said.
At the same time, the Mysuru chapter of the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) has initiated a region-wide study on rising cardiac cases among young people.
Under the supervision of CSI Mysuru president Dr Shashirekha and secretary Dr Veena Nanjappa, the study aims to collect data over two years and submit preventive recommendations to the state govt.
The data will cover patients admitted to Jayadeva as well as private hospitals such as Narayana Hrudayalaya, Manipal, BGS Apollo, and others.
BOX:
Not A New Trend: CN Manjunath
Noted cardiologist and Bangalore Rural MP Dr C N Manjunath dismissed rising cases of cardiac fatalities as a new trend.
“For two decades, the young and middle-aged are vulnerable to heart attacks and related complications. Between 2013 and 2018, when I was the director at Jayadeva, Bengaluru, we studied 5,000 young heart attack patients. Among those between 20 and 45 years old, 50% were smokers, 18-20% had diabetes and high BP, 17% had a strong family history of premature heart attack,” he said.
The worrying aspect, he said, was that 25% of the patients were without conventional risk factors, adding that the food safety department should start looking at pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables.
