Karnataka Sees Nearly Threefold Increase in Heart Attack Deaths.

Bengaluru: Karnataka has witnessed a startling surge in heart attack-related deaths registered under the Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hriday Jyoti Yojana, with fatalities soaring from 229 in 2023-24 to 608 in 2024-25, marking a nearly threefold increase, according to data released by the state health department .Alongside this, critical ECG screenings have also nearly tripled over the past two years, rising from 2,489 to 6,767, reflecting heightened cardiac risk in the population .Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao revealed these figures during the ongoing monsoon session, highlighting an urgent public health challenge. He noted that the government currently lacks data on heart attack cases and deaths outside this scheme, as heart attacks were not classified as a “notified” disease until July 2025.

In light of rising heart attack cases, particularly among people below 45, the Health Minister announced the formation of a committee to investigate sudden cardiac events in younger populations. A formal government order on this committee is awaited .The health department observed that over 75% of reported heart attack patients had identifiable risk factors including obesity, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and high blood pressure .This surge underscores the need for enhanced cardiac care infrastructure, awareness, and preventive measures in Karnataka to address lifestyle-related heart disease risks effectively.