Congress MLC Gooligowda flagged a sharp rise in heart attack cases across Karnataka – especially in the districts of Hassan, Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Kodagu. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he noted that many of those affected fall in the 30–50 age group, with even younger individuals and children reportedly suffering from heart-related complications.
Published Jul 04, 2025 | 3:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 04, 2025 | 3:55 PM
Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Mysuru.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the Principal Secretary of the Department of Medical Education to take immediate steps in response to a series of appeals made by Congress MLC Dinesh Gooligowda.
Chief among them is a request to deploy more cardiologists from across the state to the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Mysuru.
In his letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Gooligowda flagged a sharp rise in heart attack cases across Karnataka – especially in the districts of Hassan, Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Kodagu.
He noted that many of those affected fall in the 30–50 age group, with even younger individuals and children reportedly suffering from heart-related complications.
Gooligowda further stressed the urgent need for both immediate and long-term government measures to tackle what he called a public health emergency.
He said Jayadeva Hospital in Mysuru is under severe pressure, currently receiving over 1,500 to 2,000 patients a day – more than double its capacity of 700.
To manage the situation, he urged the temporary deputation of cardiologists from other government hospitals across the state, which he said would help reduce the burden on the emergency unit and ensure timely treatment.
He also recommended putting in place a referral system, whereby patients showing early symptoms are screened at district and taluk-level hospitals, and only critical cases are referred to Jayadeva Hospital.
Calling for a deeper understanding of the crisis, Gooligowda said a scientific and comprehensive study should be undertaken to investigate the causes of the surge in heart attack cases.
He also stressed the need for large-scale awareness drives across all taluks, to be carried out in partnership with medical and nursing colleges.
In addition, Gooligowda called for district and taluk hospitals to be equipped with essential cardiology equipment such as ECG machines, echocardiogram units, and defibrillators.
He added that medical staff – including doctors, nurses, and support personnel – must be trained to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.
Siddaramaiah recently appointed an expert committee headed by Dr KS Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to the study possible links between COVID-19 vaccines and the spike in cases of hearth attack-induced deaths. The panel has been asked to submit its findings within 10 days.
