&w=3840&q=100)
23 deaths due to heart attack in 40 days in Karnataka's Hassan: Is there a ‘Covid vaccine' link?
This rise in cases has also led to an 8 per cent increase in patients visiting Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru. News18
Heart attack-related deaths have gone up alarmingly in Karnataka's Hassan district.
In the past 40 days, 23 people have died after suffering heart attacks.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has now set up a team of experts, led by Dr Ravindranath from the Jayadeva Institute, to find out what is behind the spike. The panel has been asked to give its report in 10 days.
ALSO READ | Shefali Jariwala death: What are glutathione injections, and are they safe?
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Chief Minister has also questioned whether the Covid vaccine might have anything to do with these deaths.
So, what's really going on in Hassan? Is there a link between the vaccine and the deaths, as the state government claims?
Let's take a look:
What happened?
In just 40 days, Karnataka's Hassan district has reported 23 deaths, all caused by heart attacks.
Another troubling concern is that many of those who died were either young or middle-aged.
Data from May 28 to June 29, 2025, indicates a concerning view across age groups.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah links Covid vaccines with surge in heart attack-related deaths in Hassan, triggers political row
News18's @harishupadhya and @Elizasherine with details
"Vaccines have been safe, they are not associated with cardiac diseases": Dr Sanjeev Bagai… pic.twitter.com/c6wi3rDaeU — News18 (@CNNnews18) July 2, 2025
The list includes four people under the age of 20 (two boys and two girls), one woman aged between 21 and 29, five men between 30 and 40, seven men aged 41 to 59, and one man over 60.
On Tuesday, a 27-year-old woodworker was the latest to die after suffering a heart attack.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
This rise in cases has also led to an 8 per cent increase in patients visiting Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru over the past two weeks, mostly from Hassan and nearby areas.
Figures from the District Health and Family Welfare Department show that Hassan has seen 507 heart attack cases in the last two years, with 190 resulting in death, India Today reported.
Another troubling concern is that many of those who died were either young or middle-aged. Pixabay/Representational Image
What did the state government say?
A high-level meeting was held on June 30 at the office of the Hassan District Collector.
It was chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department and attended by key medical experts, including the Director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, the District Health and Family Welfare Officer, District Surgeon, Medical Superintendent, and the District Surveillance Officer.
An expert committee led by Dr Ravindranath has also been set up to find out what is behind the deaths and submit a report.
In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been… — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 1, 2025
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, has raised doubts about whether there could be a link between these deaths and the Covid vaccine, adding that the vaccine may have been approved and rolled out too quickly.
He wrote on X, 'Orders were given to this same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the Covid vaccines could have any adverse effects.'
'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, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that Covid vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of heart attacks,' he added.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
ALSO READ | Killer dreams: How nightmares can lead to early death
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told News18 that he has asked the expert team to visit the area, look into the deaths, and check if similar incidents are being reported in other parts of the state.
He also urged people not to panic and said the health department was treating the matter seriously. 'Once we get the report, we will be able to speak with greater clarity. These are matters that must be properly investigated. Speculation at this stage could cause unnecessary alarm,' he said.
The Chief Minister has also questioned whether the Covid vaccine might have anything to do with these deaths. Pixabay/Representational Image
On Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry said there is no evidence to suggest that Covid vaccines are causing sudden deaths among adults.
Citing studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the ministry said the issue had been looked into by multiple agencies.
'The matter of sudden unexplained deaths has been investigated through several agencies in the country. These studies have conclusively established that there is no direct link between Covid 19 vaccination and the reports of sudden deaths in the country," it said in a statement.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
#HealthForAll
Extensive studies by @ICMRDELHI and AIIMS on sudden deaths among adults post COVID have conclusively established no linkage between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths
Lifestyle and Pre-Existing Conditions identified as key factorshttps://t.co/QEN1X1PKfv — Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) July 2, 2025
The government added that sudden cardiac deaths could be caused by many factors, such as genetics, lifestyle choices, underlying health problems, and even post-Covid complications.
'Studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) affirm that Covid-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects. Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-Covid complications," the press release said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The spike in heart-related deaths has left doctors and health experts worried across different age groups.
Did the Covid vaccine play a role in the recent heart attack deaths? The expert panel's findings are expected to give some answers soon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Doctors, experts back govt stand on safety of Covid-19 vaccines
NEW DELHI: Top doctors, industry experts and pharma promoters have joined the Union govt in denying any potential link between Covid-19 vaccination and sudden deaths in the country, days after Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that hasty approval and administration of Covid vaccines could be the reason behind such incidents. Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi, said there is no evidence of a link between Covid-19 vaccination and sudden heart attacks. Siddaramaiah's remarks came in the wake of a spate of sudden cardiac deaths in Karnataka's Hassan district in recent weeks. Pharma promoters who compete fiercely in the market all rallied behind domestically manufactured vaccines, including those for Covid-19 and polio. Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said such claims are "factually incorrect" and "misleading". "Covid-19 vaccines developed in India were approved under Emergency Use Authorisation framework following rigorous protocols aligned with global standards for safety and efficacy. To suggest that these vaccines were 'hastily' approved is factually incorrect and contributes to public misinformation," Shaw said on social media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like La rutina de abs que necesitas [Descubre] VIDA FIT Leer más Undo She added: "These vaccines have saved millions of lives and, like all vaccines, may cause side effects in a very small number of individuals. It is important to acknowledge the science and data-driven processes behind their development, rather than engage in retrospective blame". Satish Reddy, chairman of Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Dilip Shanghvi, promoter and CMD of Sun Pharma, Pankaj Patel, chairman and promoter of Zydus Lifesciences, and Torrent Pharma chairman Samir Mehta - industry leaders known for their media reticence - each took to social media platforms to endorse India-made vaccines. "They helped end polio and fight Covid. At a time when India is seen as a vaccine leader, let's build trust in science, not doubt it. Public health must stay above politics," Reddy said in a post on X. Patel said on X that there are "other multiple reasons, like age, environmental factors, genetics, lifestyle, etc, that could be the leading cause of heart attacks in people. Several scientific studies globally and in India have conclusively shown that the risk of heart attack or myocarditis is greater after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has been proven beyond doubt that vaccination remains the most effective and preventive healthcare strategy to reduce deaths and disabilities". Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), without naming Siddaramaiah, said, "Misinformation and distortion of facts endanger public health and undermine the trust built on science and patient care globally".
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
'Caution Not Anti-Science': Siddaramaiah On Covid Vaccine-Sudden Death Claim
New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has responded to Biocon Ltd Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's suggestion that he acknowledge the science behind vaccine development, rather than engage in retrospective blame. The chief minister shot back, "Seeking answers is not retrospective blame. It is the duty of a government that values every life." Siddaramaiah had fired the first shot with his post on X on July 1 that the state government ordered a study to find the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in Karnataka, and whether Covid vaccines could have any role in them. This had prompted the reaction from the Biocon chief, who pointed out that the chief minister's claim that the vaccines were hastily approved was "factually incorrect and contributed to public misinformation". On Thursday, Siddaramaiah doubled down on his claim. "As Chief Minister, I have a duty to respond to the genuine concerns of people who have lost loved ones unexpectedly. When parents lose their young children or families lose breadwinners without warning, seeking clarity is not misinformation; it is an act of governance rooted in empathy," he said. "Scientific caution is not anti-science. Many peer-reviewed studies (such as Nature, Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology) have discussed myocarditis and cardiac arrest risk, particularly among young adults post-vaccination. Publicly funded stakeholders must acknowledge both the benefits and the potential risks without fear or favour. "When I said 'hastily', it reflects the unprecedented speed of emergency rollouts globally without complete long-term data, acknowledged even by WHO and global regulatory agencies, who termed it a 'calculated risk' during a pandemic. Haste is not a sin when saving lives, but acknowledging potential unintended consequences is wisdom," Siddaramaiah said in a long post on X. As Chief Minister, I have a duty to respond to the genuine concerns of people who have lost loved ones unexpectedly. When parents lose their young children or families lose breadwinners without warning, seeking clarity is not misinformation; it is an act of governance rooted in... — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 3, 2025 On Wednesday, the Union Health Ministry dismissed the Karnataka chief minister's comment, saying extensive studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have conclusively established no linkages between coronavirus vaccines and sudden deaths. Studies by the ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also affirm that Covid-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects, it said. Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-covid complications, the ministry had said in a statement.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 hours ago
- First Post
Tech meets touch: How doctors are adapting to the digital transformation of healthcare
As AI, telemedicine and digital tools transform healthcare, doctors are adapting to a tech-driven future while preserving the human touch. Experts say technology can enhance care but empathy, intuition and doctor-patient relationships remain essential in modern medicine's evolving role. read more As technology continues to transform healthcare at an unprecedented pace, doctors are learning to walk the tightrope between innovation and intuition. From AI-powered diagnostics to telemedicine platforms and wearable tech, physicians across India are adopting new tools with cautious optimism but insist that the irreplaceable human touch remains at the core of healing. Dr. Ajay Agarwal, Senior Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital (Noida) believes that while digital innovation brings undeniable efficiency, it must be grounded in clinical wisdom. 'We must navigate this transformation with a blend of cautious optimism and evolving pragmatism,' he said. Telemedicine for instance, has become a permanent fixture in healthcare practice, especially for chronic disease follow-ups and preliminary triage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It has enhanced accessibility and allowed us to manage patients remotely with greater ease,' Dr. Agarwal added. 'But subtle diagnostic cues like a patient's gait, expressions or behavioural signs—are still best read in person.' AI, meanwhile, is viewed by Dr. Agarwal as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement. 'It opens doors to deeper clinical reasoning by highlighting imaging patterns and supporting diagnosis, but its integration must be critically evaluated by trained physicians,' he said. Digital health portals and patient records available online have also improved data sharing across hospitals, bridging long-standing communication gaps. Still, he added, 'The art of understanding the person behind the illness, that is something no tool can replicate.' Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant in Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital (Gurugram) echoed this sentiment, saying that technology has permanently altered the landscape of healthcare. 'The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a shift that was already underway,' he says. Telemedicine has evolved from a peripheral service to a mainstay of patient care, particularly useful for mental health, routine follow-ups and care in underserved regions. 'Doctors have had to develop virtual bedside manners—learning how to maintain empathy and build trust through a screen.' AI's role in diagnostics is particularly pronounced in radiology, pathology, and dermatology, where pattern recognition can be enhanced by machine learning. 'These tools help reduce errors and allow us to focus more on patient interaction,' Dr. Tayal added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wearables and mobile health apps are another frontier. Devices that monitor heart rate, blood sugar, and sleep patterns now offer real-time data that can inform personalised treatment plans. 'Doctors are collaborating with data scientists to make sense of this information,' he said. Medical education is also adapting, with new training modules focusing on digital ethics, AI tools and critical data analysis. Still, the integration of tech in healthcare isn't without its challenges. Data privacy, screen fatigue and the risk of over-reliance on algorithms remain key concerns. Yet both doctors agree that rather than replacing physicians, technology is expanding their role. Today's doctors are no longer just healers, they are digital guides, interpreters of complex data and managers of virtual care ecosystems.
