Hassan Heart Attack: Primary report ready, experts predicted exact cause

Hassan Heart Attack: There has been an alarming surge in heart attack-related deaths in Hassan district, Karnataka, with at least 22 fatalities reported in just over a month, many among people under 50. Hassan Heart Attack: Primary report ready, experts predicted exact cause.

This has prompted significant concern and an urgent investigation by the state government. While a final, comprehensive report from the expert committee is awaited (expected within 10 days of its formation around July 1st, 2025), preliminary discussions and expert opinions point to several potential reasons:

Primary Suspected Causes:

1.Lifestyle Factors: 

This is a strong and consistently highlighted reason by medical experts. Factors include:

Poor dietary habits: Consumption of unhealthy, fatty, and sugary foods.

Sedentary lifestyles/Lack of exercise: Many young people are not maintaining active lifestyles.

Chronic stress and irregular routines: Increased stress levels and disturbed sleep patterns are significant contributors.

Tobacco use: Both smoking and smokeless tobacco are major risk factors.

Obesity: A growing issue contributing to cardiovascular problems.

2. Lack of STEMI Program Implementation:

Cardiologist Dr. C.N. Manjunath, an MP and heart specialist, has highlighted a critical gap in the healthcare system in Hassan, the lack of proper implementation of the ‘STEMI’ (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) program. This program is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention in acute heart attacks, and its absence could be contributing to higher fatalities.

3. Delayed Medical Attention:

Reports indicate that many of the deceased died at home without seeking timely medical help. There’s a strong emphasis from health officials for the public not to ignore symptoms like chest pain or breathlessness and to visit a health center immediately.

4. Underlying Undiagnosed Conditions:

While many victims appeared to have no prior history of heart disease, experts suggest that some might have undiagnosed conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or other congenital defects.

COVID-19 and Vaccine Link (Under Investigation):

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that while lifestyle factors are significant, it “cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths.

” He cited that “several studies worldwide have recently indicated that COVID vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of heart attacks.” He has tasked the expert committee to also investigate any possible link between the sudden cardiac deaths and the aftermath of COVID-19 or its vaccines.

Medical Experts’ View: While the CM has raised this as a possibility to be investigated, some medical experts have cautioned against prematurely linking the deaths solely to vaccines. They point out that heart problems were observed in COVID-19 patients even before vaccines were developed, and that vaccines, being inactivated viruses, can sometimes mimic the effects of the active virus.

They emphasize the need to carefully analyze patient data, including vaccination status and history of COVID-19 infection, and compare it with pre-pandemic data. The ICMR and AIIMS had previously ruled out a direct vaccine link for such sudden deaths.

Also Read: Hassan heart attack cases: 22 young aged death in 40 days