21 Deaths Due To Heart Attacks Over 40 Days In Hassan District: Karnataka CM Orders Probe

Hassan, Karnataka:  Shocking incidents of a series of sudden heart attacks and subsequent deaths in Hassan district of Karnataka raised alarming concerns in the state. Around 21 people have died of heart attacks in Hassan district in the last 40 days, as per information from the district health authorities’ data.

The massive heart attack series has triggered panic, especially given the fact that the majority of the deceased are under the age of 50. Causing further worry, five of the victims were only 20 years old, with their family claiming that they had no prior medical history of heart ailments. 

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At least six people have died of a suspected heart attack in the district in the past 24 hours, with authorities waiting for the autopsy report to confirm the exact cause of death. On June 30, Monday, three deaths were reported due to heart attacks. According to District Health Officer Dr. Anil Kumar, the deaths may have occurred due to multiple diseases and the exact reason will be known only after the postmortem.

The situation has led to chief minister Siddaramaiah directing the health department to form a committee to investigate the incidents. He assured that the government would examine the issue, identify and resolve the underlying problem. Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Gupta to head a 10-member team to study the cause of the sudden spate of heart attacks.

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The chief minister stressed the need to find out the root cause. Once we understand the problem, we can work toward solutions. “Our first step is to identify the issue and address it accordingly,” Siddaramaiah said.

The government has also directed Taluk-level health officers to immediately attend to patients reporting chest pain and to seek assistance from Bengaluru.

Notably, around 37,774 people have been treated under the ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) scheme which was introduced in 68 Taluk hospitals three years ago. Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS), Channarayapatna, and Holenarasipur taluk hospital are part of this scheme. Physicians and cardiologists examine patients at Taluk hospitals where they interact with super specialists in the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (JICSR) in Bengaluru through telemedicine, The New Indian Express reported.

The system hence helps to save patients if they reach nearby taluk hospitals for treatment during the ‘golden hour’, as per the report. Super-specialists at JICSR suggest medicine for the patients in district and taluks hospitals as part of the STEMI system, the report added.