The Karnataka government-ordered investigation into sudden deaths among younger adults in Hassan district in May and June has revealed that nearly 30 per cent of individuals who died were auto-rickshaw or cab drivers.The report was recently submitted by a committee headed by Dr C N Ravindranath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.Addressing the media on Thursday, Minister Rao acknowledged significant concerns surrounding the occupational profile of the deceased. “Nearly 30 per cent of them were auto and cab drivers. Many of them were from Hassan but had been living and working in Bengaluru. These deaths seem more linked to lifestyle and occupational stress,” he said.The investigation identified multiple contributing factors specific to the driving profession, including prolonged hours of sitting while driving, irregular eating habits, smoking, lack of physical activity, chronic stress, and poor sleep patterns.Must Read | Hassan cardiac deaths: study rules out sudden increase, only 10 of 24 deaths are confirmed casesIn response to these findings, the minister informed that the government was developing comprehensive recommendations to introduce regular health screenings for auto-rickshaw and cab drivers. “We should have programmes for annual or bi-annual screenings, raise awareness, and help them access timely care. Preventing even one life lost is a great achievement,” Rao said.However, the minister said that reports of sudden deaths do not indicate a surge when compared to previous years. “When compared to (data from) May and June last year, there is no significant increase in deaths. Even this year’s data doesn’t show any sudden or alarming spike,” he added.The investigation also reviewed cardiac data from Jayadeva Institute’s centres in Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Kalaburgi, which similarly did not reflect any abnormal upward trend in cardiac mortality over the last six months, Dr Ravindranath said.Story continues below this adHe reported that the institute is experiencing a 20 per cent increase in outpatient visits following media reports about heart attacks among young individuals. “After these reports, people are coming in large numbers out of fear. On average, we used to see 1,200-1,400 patients, but we are now checking about 1,800 patients daily. Even at Jayadeva in Mysuru, numbers have crossed 1,000 from 700. Kalaburagi centre is experiencing an overwhelming rush as well,” Dr Ravindranath said.The health expert advised the public to seek medical attention only when experiencing symptoms or having known risk factors, rather than visiting out of panic, as this creates additional stress on medical professionals and healthcare systems.The number of heart attack-linked deaths recorded in Karnataka government hospitals from January to May this year is 6,943, an average of approximately 1,388 deaths a month. The number of heart attack deaths in Hassan in the same period is 183, an average of 36 per month.The committee was formed after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah linked heart attack deaths in Hassan district to COVID-19 vaccines.