Don’t panic, care is needed about heart-related diseases: Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on deaths in Hassan

BENGALURU: In the wake of widespread concern expressed in the public and media about the recent increase in sudden deaths among young adults in Hassan district, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the state government had ordered a formal inquiry and now the full report has been received, there is no need to worry.

Addressing a press conference at the city’s Jayadeva Hospital, the minister said that a committee formed under the leadership of the Director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and Research on Thursday released a report on a study of 24 deaths that occurred in Hassan district during May-June 2025 and heart-related cases and deaths in the district.

Speaking later, the Minister said that out of the 24 deaths investigated, 14 were below 45 years of age and 10 were above 45 years of age. Out of the total 24 deaths, 4 deaths were not due to heart-related problems. They were chronic kidney disease, a road accident, an acute gastrointestinal infection, and one death due to electric shock.

Of the remaining 20 deaths, 10 were confirmed heart-related deaths. 3 had pre-existing heart disease, one had undergone bypass surgery, and one had dilated cardiomyopathy (heart failure) after angioplasty. Out of the 7 heart-related deaths, 4 were confirmed by post-mortem examinations and 3 were based on ECG. He said that the remaining 10 deaths were considered ‘probable heart-related deaths’.

More than 75% of the deceased had more than one heart-related risk factor. The minister said that the deaths were due to diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, smoking, and high blood pressure.

The sudden deaths among young people aged 19, 21, 23, 32, 37, 38, and 43 years are worrisome and cannot be ignored. The minister said that 6 of them were auto and cab drivers, and that not eating at the right time, not sleeping properly, and working under stress were the reasons for their sudden deaths.

In many cases, the deceased were not brought to any health facility before death. Even among those declared ‘dead’ in hospitals, formal post-mortem examinations were often not conducted. He said that the lack of post-mortem data, the unavailability of necessary clinical investigations (ECGs, cardiac enzymes), and limited cooperation from family members made it difficult to know the specific cause of death.

CPR training will be provided to specific groups, including school and college students, teachers, and physical trainers in gyms. Steps will be taken to expand the Hridaya Jyoti scheme in all Primary Health Centres (PHC) and Community Health Centres (CHC).

It will be decided to get auto and cab drivers screened. This is not a separate problem in Hassan district, he said. Today’s lifestyle, not eating at the right time, not sleeping properly, working under pressure are the causes of sudden death.

15-year-old children will be screened so that if there is any genetic problem, appropriate action will be taken, guidance will be given, and action will be taken to provide treatment, the minister said.

The effects of modern lifestyle have been highlighted. Stressful work, lack of sleep, irregular meals, and wrong eating habits are the main causes of heart-related problems. Smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity further increase the risk.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is imperative. Emphasis should be placed on regular exercise, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, and effective stress management. This is not limited to Hassan alone, but rather a message applicable to the entire society. The Minister said that we all need to be vigilant to prevent sudden deaths through a healthy lifestyle. (ANI)