Mangaluru has seen a 30–35% spike in cardiac screenings, especially among young adults aged 18 to 35, following the recent Hassan cardiac incident.
Dr. Rajesh Bhat U, consultant cardiologist at KMC Hospital, noted that sudden celebrity deaths often trigger a short-lived rush for heart check-ups, but this time, the panic is more intense. “Young patients are coming in with tingling, neck pain, or chest discomfort after seeing viral videos online. Many insist on Echo tests to rule out heart attacks,” he told TOI.
He stressed that not all chest pain indicates a cardiac event and advised caution particularly for individuals with risk factors like smoking, drug use, obesity, diabetes, or family history of heart disease. “The influence of social media is enormous. I even recommended some patients unplug for mental peace,” he added.
Dr. Padmanabh Kamath, cardiologist and founder of Cardiology at Doorstep Foundation, said the situation mirrors public anxiety after actor Puneeth Rajkumar’s sudden demise in 2021. “Clinics are packed. People without referrals are lining up for ECGs and Echoes. While some genuine early cases are being detected, this surge is only temporary,” he observed.
He highlighted that the crisis has prompted health systems to act. ECG machines lying unused in gram panchayats are finally operational, and Janaushadhi Kendras are performing five times more ECGs than usual.
Dr. Kamath emphasized that beyond panic, sustained education and lifestyle discipline are essential to tackle heart disease effectively.