BENGALURU, 18 AUG

There is no need to panic about the reports of rising heart attacks, Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil said. Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, pranayama, a balanced diet, timely sleep, and stress management can help prevent the disease, he added.

Responding to a question from Congress member Dinesh Gooligowda in the Legislative Council, Patil said there was no significant statistical increase compared to previous years.

“On average, five to six per cent of cases are heart-related, and this year the trend remains the same. Isolated incidents should not create fear among people,” he said.

He dismissed speculation linking post-Covid effects to cardiac issues; he claimed, “There is no evidence of such a connection.”

Patil cited sedentary lifestyle, stress, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, drug abuse, and family history as major contributors to heart disease.

Patil also announced that the government has mandated the establishment of super-speciality hospitals in all district government hospitals. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed the compulsory setup of these facilities, and many districts have already begun operations. Trauma centres will also be started alongside,” he said.

Super-speciality hospitals are currently functional at Jayadeva Institutes in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, and Hubballi. New units in Bagalkote, Yadgir, and Raichur will be operational soon, while facilities in Bidar, Koppal, and Belagavi are expected to be inaugurated within the next three months, the statement added.