No cause for panic over heart attacks, say experts, as State-appointed panel begins probe over Hassan deaths

The Hindu

5 days ago

Amid mounting public anxiety following the reported surge in heart attack deaths in Hassan district, health experts and government authorities have urged the public not to give heed to scare mongers and panic.
Stressing that heart attacks are not communicable diseases, doctors said unlike viral outbreaks that spread from person to person, heart attacks result from individual health factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and pre-existing medical conditions.
While the government's decision to form an expert committee, headed by K.S. Ravindranath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, is a precautionary step to study local patterns and possible triggers, experts emphasised that such incidents are neither new nor unique to one region, and align with trends seen across the country.
Surge in patients
Public anxiety has led to a surge in outpatient visits at all the three units of Jayadeva — Bengaluru, Mysuru and Kalaburagi. 'The media reports have created panic and anxiety among people. We are seeing a 20% rise in the number of people seeking cardiac evaluations and there is a huge rush of patients in our OPDs,' said Dr. Ravindranath.
'As most of the 18 deaths occurred at home, we have started verbal autopsies to assess the underlying factors and if there were any triggers. We will examine what caused these deaths, whether there were other unreported cases, and if this pattern is isolated to Hassan or more widespread,' he said.
C.N. Manjunath, Bengaluru Rural MP and former director of Jayadeva, said, 'Unlike outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19, dengue, or influenza, which spread through air, water, or physical contact, heart attacks are triggered by a complex interplay of individual risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and genetic predisposition. Similar cases of sudden cardiac deaths among young and middle-aged individuals have been documented across India over the years.'
Reiterating that there is no need to panic, Dr. Manjunath said instead the public should focus on routine health check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and timely medical intervention for known risk factors.
No specific pattern
Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, said there is no specific pattern or data suggesting a spike in heart attack deaths in any particular region. 'Following media reports and public anxiety, we have formed the committee to study the Hassan deaths and find out if there is any specific reason. Based on the committee's reports, we will decide on whether we need to initiate any measures in the district, or if reporting methods have to be modified,' he said.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also said setting up the committee is a proactive, precautionary measure aimed at studying any local patterns or environmental factors that may be contributing to the deaths. 'We have to see if the ratio is similar or if these cases from Hassan are unique. Based on the committee's report, we will decide whether there is need to declare cardiac deaths as a notifiable disease,' he added.