Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 22: The rising number of sudden deaths due to heart attacks, especially among young people, has created widespread concern in the state. Many cases have been reported where seemingly healthy youths collapsed and died unexpectedly. To study the issue, the state government has already formed an expert committee. However, the continuous reports of such incidents have triggered fear among the public.
Over the past three years, Karnataka has recorded 1004 deaths due to heart attacks. The exact reason behind this alarming trend has not been officially established. Recently, during Ganesh visarjan celebrations, two youths collapsed while dancing to DJ music and lost their lives, adding to the growing list of such tragic incidents.
Several such cases are being reported daily, but without an official explanation, anxiety continues to grow. On social media too, many have expressed concern over this worrying trend. In Hassan district, for instance, the number of heart attack cases has risen significantly, forcing many people to rush to hospitals. Despite this, the government has not yet provided a clear cause, leading to further suspicion and fear among citizens.
In 2023-24, Karnataka reported 229 deaths due to heart attacks. The number rose sharply to 608 in 2024-25, before dropping to 167 in 2025-26.
In Bengaluru Rural, there were 10 deaths in 2023-24, 23 in 2024-25, and 2 in 2025-26. Ramanagara reported 12 deaths in 2023-24, 32 in 2024-25, and 8 in 2025-26. In Chikkaballapur, the figures stood at 11, 27, and 8 respectively over the three years.
Tumakuru recorded 44 deaths in 2023-24, 63 in 2024-25, and 16 in 2025-26. Kolar reported 17 deaths in 2023-24, 22 in 2024-25, and 8 in 2025-26. Mysuru had 30 deaths in 2023-24, 52 in 2024-25, and 18 in 2025-26. Mandya reported 27, 30, and 8 deaths in the same period.
In Hassan, there were 32 deaths in 2023-24, 21 in 2024-25, and 6 in 2025-26. Kodagu recorded 4, 11, and 3 deaths respectively. Chamarajanagar saw 8 deaths in 2023-24, 9 in 2024-25, and 3 in 2025-26. Bijapur reported 1 death in 2023-24 and 1 in 2024-25, but none in 2025-26.
Kalaburagi recorded 18 deaths in 2023-24, 14 in 2024-25, and 4 in 2025-26. Bidar reported 3, 11, and 7 deaths respectively. Yadgir saw 11 deaths in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, and 5 in 2025-26.
Dakshina Kannada reported no deaths in 2023-24, but 33 in 2024-25 and 6 in 2025-26. Chikkamagaluru also reported none in 2023-24, but 20 in 2024-25 and 6 in 2025-26. Dharwad had no cases in 2023-24, but reported 39 deaths in 2024-25 and 6 in 2025-26.
Meanwhile, the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research reported 61,299 heart attack cases over the past three years. Of these, 472 deaths were due to sudden cardiac arrests in people under the age of 45, according to the department of medical education.