After spate of deaths in Hassan, govt to screen auto and cab drivers for heart disease
Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told the legislative assembly Thursday that the measures were in line with recommendations from a state-appointed panel led by Dr KS Ravindranath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.
Between May and June this year, 36 people — most under 45 — died mostly of heart attacks in Hassan district, triggering public alarm and speculation over a possible link to Covid-19 vaccines.
About 30% of the victims were auto and cab drivers.
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The govt formed a committee headed by Dr Ravindranath to study cases. Its report submitted in July found most deaths were due to heart ailments caused by sedentary lifestyles, stress, and pollution and had nothing to do with the Covid-19 vaccines.
"According to the Dr Ravindranath panel report, more than 75% victims were suffering from multiple heart ailments, mainly because of lifestyle, obesity, smoking or alcohol addiction and comorbidities such as diabetes and high blood pressure," Rao said, responding to a question from senior JD(S) member HD Revanna from Holenarasipura.
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"We will launch an awareness campaign and target those vulnerable including auto and cab drivers and students.
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He said the govt is also considering upgrading Hassan district hospital and setting up a cath lab at an estimated cost of Rs 9.4 crore.
"The awareness campaign to prevent heart ailments will not be limited to Hassan. We plan to cover the entire state. Since it is related to lifestyle, we should treat it as a social scourge and respond accordingly to eradicate it," Rao said.
Opposition leader R Ashoka had flagged the lack of cardiac treatment facilities in Hassan, forcing patients to travel four hours to Bengaluru or three hours to Mysuru. Rao said the govt will work to improve facilities in all districts, including ensuring ECG and emergency cardiac machines in all PHCs and CHCs.
The report into sudden deaths in Hassan examined 24 cases from May and June 2025. Of these, 10 were confirmed as cardiac deaths, 10 were probable, and four were due to non-cardiac causes. The report found no unusual spike and no link to Covid-19 vaccines, with obesity, alcohol use, diabetes, and hypertension emerging as common risk factors.
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