<p>Reports of a sizeable number of deaths due to cardiac arrest in Hassan district has resulted in slight rise in the number of people approaching hospitals for cardiology check-ups. However, doctors clarify that this is more due to anxiety, while admissions and surgeries have not increased suddenly. However, they said, heart patients are gradually increasing over the years.</p><p>Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI), which gets patients from neighbouring districts also, has seen slight rise in out-patient department (OPD) registration for cardiology, and the number of check-ups like ECG and echocardiogram tests. Inflow of patients at OPD at some private hospitals has also increased to some extent.</p><p>According to KMCRI authorities, OPD patients for cardiology have increased by 15% to 20% in last few days, but there is no alarming situation. A total of 13,872 patients visited OPD for heart-related problems this year till June end, and admissions were 1,752. These numbers were 23,303 and 3,207, respectively, in 2024, sources said.</p><p>“Nearly 10% people come just to get tested as a precaution, mainly due to anxiety. In last three days, the number of echos has increased from around 160 to 200, and the situation for ECG is also almost same. It is just transitional, and findings in Hassan district may be coincidental,” says KMCRI Cardiology Department Head Dr Rajkumar Hiremath.</p><p>Some private hospitals have also seen rise in OPD patients. Noted cardiologist Vijayakrishna Kolur informed that the OPD numbers in his hospital in last one week has increased from average 50 to 60 or 80. More young people even with minor symptoms are coming for check-up, but admissions and surgeries have not increased. More youth are coming to hospitals in last 10 years, due to their lifestyle, food, diabetes, blood pressure, stress and other reasons, he added.</p><p>According to Indian Medical Association Hubball branch president P N Biradar, the rise of people coming for heart check-up now is not so sharp like that of after Puneeth Rajkumar’s death. Those who have awareness and some of those above 40 years of age are coming. No sudden rise in heart attack deaths is seen, but proper study has to be done for the reasons to prove that. Pre-existing causes, hereditary, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and stress also cause heart problems, he said.</p><p>However, the number of OPD patients with heart problem has not increased so far at Chitaguppi Hospital. “We get around 3,000 OPD patients related to cardiology per month, and we conduct 200 ECGs. That number has remained almost same,” said HDMC’s Chitaguppi Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr Shridhar Dandappanavar.</p>
<p>Reports of a sizeable number of deaths due to cardiac arrest in Hassan district has resulted in slight rise in the number of people approaching hospitals for cardiology check-ups. However, doctors clarify that this is more due to anxiety, while admissions and surgeries have not increased suddenly. However, they said, heart patients are gradually increasing over the years.</p><p>Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI), which gets patients from neighbouring districts also, has seen slight rise in out-patient department (OPD) registration for cardiology, and the number of check-ups like ECG and echocardiogram tests. Inflow of patients at OPD at some private hospitals has also increased to some extent.</p><p>According to KMCRI authorities, OPD patients for cardiology have increased by 15% to 20% in last few days, but there is no alarming situation. A total of 13,872 patients visited OPD for heart-related problems this year till June end, and admissions were 1,752. These numbers were 23,303 and 3,207, respectively, in 2024, sources said.</p><p>“Nearly 10% people come just to get tested as a precaution, mainly due to anxiety. In last three days, the number of echos has increased from around 160 to 200, and the situation for ECG is also almost same. It is just transitional, and findings in Hassan district may be coincidental,” says KMCRI Cardiology Department Head Dr Rajkumar Hiremath.</p><p>Some private hospitals have also seen rise in OPD patients. Noted cardiologist Vijayakrishna Kolur informed that the OPD numbers in his hospital in last one week has increased from average 50 to 60 or 80. More young people even with minor symptoms are coming for check-up, but admissions and surgeries have not increased. More youth are coming to hospitals in last 10 years, due to their lifestyle, food, diabetes, blood pressure, stress and other reasons, he added.</p><p>According to Indian Medical Association Hubball branch president P N Biradar, the rise of people coming for heart check-up now is not so sharp like that of after Puneeth Rajkumar’s death. Those who have awareness and some of those above 40 years of age are coming. No sudden rise in heart attack deaths is seen, but proper study has to be done for the reasons to prove that. Pre-existing causes, hereditary, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and stress also cause heart problems, he said.</p><p>However, the number of OPD patients with heart problem has not increased so far at Chitaguppi Hospital. “We get around 3,000 OPD patients related to cardiology per month, and we conduct 200 ECGs. That number has remained almost same,” said HDMC’s Chitaguppi Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr Shridhar Dandappanavar.</p>