Hassan Heart Attack Deaths: A Local Alarm or a Symptom of a Larger Crisis?
Panic swept through Hassan district in Karnataka after reports emerged that 22 people — most of them under the age of 40 — had died of heart attacks within just 40 days. The sudden surge in cases triggered speculation on social media, with some attempting to link the deaths to anti-Covid vaccinations. However, cardiologists and public health experts warn that the issue is far more complex and not confined to Hassan alone.
“This isn’t a mystery unique to Hassan,” said Dr. Mukherjee, a senior interventional cardiologist based in Hyderabad. “We’re seeing a troubling rise in heart attacks among young people globally, driven by lifestyle factors — sedentary routines, processed diets, undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes, and overwhelming stress.”
The spike in young cardiac deaths in various parts of Karnataka pushed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take notice. Following media reports and public concern, he ordered a committee headed by Dr. K.S. Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research (SJICSR), to investigate the phenomenon.
While social media chatter suggested an unusual pattern in Hassan, preliminary data tells a more sobering but widespread story. Karnataka’s health department compiled figures from January to May 2025, revealing 6,943 heart attack-related deaths across the state. Of these, 183 occurred in Hassan — averaging around 36 deaths per month, consistent with state-wide trends.
Dr. Ravindranath noted that verbal autopsies are underway to understand the profiles and risk factors among the young deceased. Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru alone recorded 119 heart-attack deaths from January to June, including 21 in June. Its Kalaburagi counterpart reported 95 deaths, with 23 in May.
Globally, the trend is just as alarming. A U.S. study found that one in five heart attack patients was under 40, with a 60% rise in cases among those aged 18–44 between 2019 and 2023. Similar increases are being seen across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
“This is not just a Hassan problem,” said Dr. C.N. Manjunath, cardiologist and Bengaluru South MP. “It’s a systemic health crisis.” The WHO has already flagged early-onset cardiovascular diseases as a major threat in low- and middle-income countries like India.
