Auto, cab drivers prone to heart attacks, separate screening soon, says Karnataka health minister

Bengaluru: Stating that heart attacks were more pronounced amongst auto and cab drivers, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that a separate screening would be conducted for them.

The minister was responding to a question by JD(S)’s Holenarasipur MLA HD Revanna, which was asked by JD(S)’ A Manju on the former’s behalf, on “over 41 deaths in Hassan” due to heart attacks.

“According to the data by the Jayadeva institute, they said 20-30% people who suffered heart attacks last year are auto and cab drivers. Pollution, lack of sleep, outside food, other habits, having diabetes and blood pressure etc are the reasons for heart attacks amongst them. The government is specifically talking to auto and cab drivers’ associations. We will do a specific screening for them."

In the written reply to Revanna’s question, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil said: “A committee headed by Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Director Dr Ravindranath was formed to look into the deaths due to heart attack in Hassan. The report has been submitted, which says that over 75% of the people had more than one dangerous aspect for the heart.”

explained that these symptoms included not having enough physical activity, unhealthy food habits, mental pressure, excessive body weight, excessive drinking, diabetes, blood pressure and family history of heart attacks.

Conceding that a proposal to set up a Cath Lab had been received from the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, the minister said the government would act as per availability.