Lifestyle behind rise in heart attack cases: Min

{ DINESH GUNDU RAO} HEALTH MINISTER

- Arun Dev

The technical advisory committee examining the rise in heart attack cases in Hassan district has attributed most of the recent fatalities to lifestyle-related causes such as obesity, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and hereditary factors. The findings were presented to health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao during a review meeting.

"Between May and June this year, 24 deaths were initially believed to be from heart attacks. Of these, four were unrelated to cardiac issues. Among the remaining 20, 10 were confirmed to be heart-related and 15 were under the age of 45," Rao said at a press conference on Thursday.

However, the minister clarified that the number of confirmed heart attack deaths had not increased year-on-year. "In 2024, there were 24 such deaths. This year, there are 20. So there is no cause for alarm," he said, though he noted that obesity appeared frequently in postmortem reports.

The report also highlighted that certain professions, especially drivers, are at heightened risk. "Drivers, particularly auto and cab drivers, are more vulnerable. We will work with their associations to organise dedicated screenings," he said quoting the report.