In a startling medical wake-up call, Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists a series of lifestyle hazards contributing to a sharp rise in cardiac arrests among young Indians. The recent cluster of sudden heart attack deaths in Karnataka’s Hassan district has triggered nationwide concern. On June 30 alone, four men aged 50–63 succumbed to cardiac arrest, prompting investigations and heightened public anxiety.
These cases are part of a troubling trend. Over the past 40 days, 22 people—many in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—have died of heart-related issues in the district, with the youngest victim just 19 years old. As the panic spreads, hospitals are witnessing a surge in cardiovascular OPD visits, especially from Hassan and nearby towns.
Amid the rising fatalities, Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists several critical factors behind this health emergency, stating unequivocally that these deaths are largely preventable if society recognizes and addresses the underlying causes.
Hassan’s Heart Crisis: A Grim Statistic
Karnataka’s Hassan district, known for its serene lifestyle, has suddenly emerged as a hotspot for heart-related fatalities. On June 30, four individuals died within hours of each other due to cardiac events, including a professor, a government employee, and two locals. Their unexpected deaths have underscored the urgency of re-examining the nation’s approach to heart health.
Over the last two years, the district has reported 507 heart attack cases, 190 of which were fatal. The Karnataka Health Department has now initiated a formal probe into the matter.
A Surge in Medical Inquiries and Hospital Visits
Following the spike in deaths, top hospitals like Bengaluru’s Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences reported an 8% rise in outpatient visits, mostly from the Hassan district. Citizens, shaken by the frequency of sudden deaths, are proactively seeking consultations, ECGs, and stress tests.
This growing awareness is positive, but Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists key behavioral changes that must accompany this reactive behavior to effect long-term prevention.
The Voice of Experience: Dr. Ramakanta Panda Weighs In
Dr. Ramakanta Panda, Chairman of the Asian Heart Institute and widely regarded as one of India’s leading cardiac surgeons, warns that this surge is not coincidental.
“Thirty years ago, I would see one 30-year-old cardiac arrest patient in an entire year. Today, I see one every other day,” he says.
Drawing from decades of clinical experience, Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists five major contributors to India’s alarming increase in young heart patients: sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, chronic stress, tobacco use, and poor sleep hygiene.
Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda Lists 5 Silent Killers
1. Sedentary Lifestyle
Dr. Panda emphasizes that desk jobs, reduced physical activity, and prolonged screen time are creating a culture of chronic inactivity.
“When people don’t move enough, blood circulation slows, cholesterol builds, and the heart weakens. Movement is medicine,” he warns.
2. Poor Dietary Habits
Processed foods, deep-fried snacks, sugary beverages, and excessive meat consumption are now the norm. Dr. Panda notes that Indians, particularly the urban population, are moving away from traditional, balanced diets.
Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists dietary negligence as a prime factor pushing young adults toward early cardiac events.
3. Chronic Stress
From competitive work cultures to financial pressures and societal expectations, stress is a modern epidemic. Panda explains that stress increases adrenaline, raises blood pressure, and destabilizes the heart rhythm.
“Even a healthy heart can give up under relentless stress,” he cautions.
4. Tobacco and Substance Use
While cigarette use has declined marginally, smokeless tobacco remains rampant in many parts of India. According to Dr. Panda, it’s often more harmful than smoking.
5. Lack of Quality Sleep
The late-night binge-watching culture is proving deadly. “You need 7–8 hours of sleep. People who sleep less than six hours a night have twice the risk of a heart attack,” Dr. Panda notes.
When Fitness Turns Fatal
In a society increasingly obsessed with aesthetics and peak performance, many young adults are adopting high-intensity workouts without medical clearance. Dr. Panda recalls multiple incidents where untrained individuals collapsed during endurance events like marathons.
Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists overexertion as another factor often ignored by youth, who mistakenly equate good looks with good health.
The Supplement Trap: Wellness Gone Wrong
With the wellness industry booming, more Indians are turning to IV therapies, fat burners, and vitamin infusions. But Dr. Panda remains skeptical.
“There’s no scientific backing for most IV wellness therapies. Anything injected directly into your bloodstream can cause adverse reactions,” he warns.
Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists careless supplement use—especially unsupervised use of drugs like GLP-1 agonists—as a risky shortcut to health. These drugs, used for weight loss, can lead to rare but serious complications such as pancreatitis.
Deaths Without Warning: A National Pattern
The death of actor and model Shefali Jariwala on June 27 due to a cardiac arrest at age 42 further exemplifies this unsettling trend. Outwardly healthy and fit individuals are dying without warning—a sign of a deeper, systemic problem.
Dr. Panda explains that even a structurally sound heart can be overwhelmed by hormonal surges during extreme stress or physical exhaustion.
A Cultural Reset Is Needed
“We don’t need another pill; we need a cultural reset,” says Dr. Panda. He encourages a return to balanced meals, moderate exercise, sleep hygiene, and stress management.
While he supports science-backed supplementation—such as Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids—he insists they should be used only when clinically necessary.
Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists prevention, rather than intervention, as the only long-term solution to India’s escalating heart health crisis.
Government Response and Investigation
In response to the surge in cardiac fatalities, the Karnataka Health Department has launched a probe led by Dr. Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute. The inquiry will explore whether post-Covid physiological impacts, vaccine side effects, or other triggers may have played a role.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also expressed concern, urging prompt investigation to prevent more deaths.
Final Thoughts
As sudden heart attack deaths shock regions like Hassan and beyond, the nation is facing a ticking time bomb of cardiovascular health decline.
Top Cardiac Surgeon Ramakanta Panda lists a comprehensive framework for individuals and policymakers alike—centered on awareness, prevention, and disciplined living. With 22 young lives lost in just over a month, and hundreds more suffering silently, it is time for India to act decisively.
The heart crisis is no longer limited to the elderly. If India wishes to protect its young population, it must heed the warnings of its foremost heart specialist.
