BENGALURU, July 1 —Karnataka’s Hassan district has witnessed 23 sudden cardiac deaths over the past 40 days — a pattern that has triggered a high-level investigation ordered by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The deaths, including several young individuals under the age of 45, have sparked public concern and prompted calls for urgent answers.
The Chief Minister announced on Tuesday that a committee headed by Dr CN Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, will probe the deaths and submit a detailed report within 10 days. The panel has been asked to explore all possible causes, including recent international concerns linking Covid-19 vaccines to rare cardiac complications.
“While we cannot conclusively blame any one factor yet, it cannot be denied that hasty approval and rollout of Covid vaccines may have had unforeseen health consequences,” Siddaramaiah said, citing emerging global research. He also accused the BJP of politicising the issue rather than introspecting on its pandemic-era decisions.
The crisis gained urgency after four people died of heart attacks in a single day on June 30. Among them were a 50-year-old woman, a college lecturer, and a daily wage worker — all seemingly healthy. On Tuesday, a 27-year-old woodworker became the latest young victim.
Of the 23 recent deaths in Hassan, six were aged 19–25, while eight were aged 25–45, underscoring the unusual vulnerability of younger populations.
Adding to the worry, Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru has reported an 8% spike in patient visits from Hassan and surrounding districts, with many seeking preventive cardiac screenings.
The health scare is not isolated. Several recent cardiac deaths in Karnataka, including model Shefali Jariwala (42), a 29-year-old dentist post-marathon, and a 28-year-old bodybuilder, have raised alarms about an increasing trend in heart-related fatalities.
Health officials noted that Hassan alone reported 507 heart attacks and 190 deaths in the past two years. However, the current cluster of fatalities — particularly among youth — stands out as deeply concerning.
CM Siddaramaiah urged citizens to take all symptoms seriously, including chest pain, dizziness, and breathlessness. He stressed timely medical attention and mentioned ongoing state initiatives like Hridaya Jyothi and Gruha Arogya to improve cardiac monitoring and early intervention.
The government’s swift move to order a detailed inquiry aims to calm public fears while ensuring accountability and evidence-based response. The findings of the Ravindranath Committee are expected within the next week.
