Following a rise in heart attack deaths in Hassan district, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed concern, suggesting that the rushed approval and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines could possibly be one of the reasons. He urged people showing symptoms like chest pain or breathing difficulty to seek immediate medical help and not ignore early warning signs.
Over 20 heart attack deaths were reported in Hassan within a month, prompting the government to form an expert committee led by Dr. Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences. The panel has been asked to submit a detailed report within 10 days to identify the exact cause and suggest solutions.
Siddaramaiah stated that the committee had already been directed earlier in February to investigate sudden deaths among youth and explore potential adverse effects of COVID vaccines. An in-depth analysis of heart patients is currently underway. The chief minister emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of children, youth, and families affected by these tragic events.
He criticized the BJP for allegedly politicizing the issue and reminded them to reflect before assigning blame. The government, he said, is actively working through schemes like Hridaya Jyothi and Gruha Arogya to monitor health issues and prevent further deaths.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed that a detailed audit will be conducted, and all unusual patterns will be examined. The health department reported that victims spanned age groups from under 20 to over 60, with the expert panel expected to deliver findings within 10 days.
