Bengaluru, 10 July

An investigation into recent cases of sudden deaths and heart attacks among young individuals in Hassan district has found no abnormal increase, according to a report submitted to the State government on Thursday.

The data analysis of cardiac cases at the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and its peripheral centres in Mysuru and Kalaburagi over the past six months also did not reveal any rising trend in cardiac-related fatalities. The number of heart attacks and deaths in the district remained consistent with previous months, it said.

The inquiry was ordered following widespread public concern and media reports about "a perceived spike in sudden cardiac deaths among young adults".

A committee was formed to examine each of the 24 deaths reported between May and June 2025 in the district, particularly among individuals aged between 14 and 45 years.

Jayadeva Institute director Dr KS Ravindranath submitted the report titled "Investigative Report on Recent Increase in Sudden Deaths in Young Adults in Hassan District" to State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Addressing reporters, Rao said the inquiry did not reveal any significant change in the number of heart attacks in recent months.

"There has been no drastic increase. In 75 per cent of the cases, reasons for death could now be ascertained. In the remaining 25 per cent, the causes remain unknown," he said.

He noted that the absence of postmortems in all cases limited the availability of complete data.

"Of the 20 sudden deaths, seven were under the age of 45. This needs serious attention," he added.

Meanwhile, DR Sharanaprakash R Patil, Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Livelihood and Raichur district in-charge said there was no need to panic about the heart-attacks.

“The issue is being overly sensationalised in the media, which naturally causes fear among the public. People should instead follow the advice given by doctors and health department officials,” he said.