Panic after Puneeth Rajkumar’s sudden death, Karnataka hospitals see 30% rise in cardiac tests

Doctors say most patients signing up for 'knee-jerk' cardiac tests are in their 20s or 30s, and seem unsettled by the death of Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar due to a heart attack.

Karnataka CM, BS Bommai paying his respects to the late actor, Puneeth Rajkumar | Photo: Twitter @BSBommai

Bengaluru: The untimely death of Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar due to cardiac arrest on 29 October appears to have triggered a sudden spike in the number of people queuing up for cardiovascular check-ups in Karnataka. 

On 31 October and 1 November — a Sunday and a government holiday for Kannada Rajyotsava, Karnataka’s statehood day — hospitals across the state recorded between 20 and 30 per cent increase in the number of patients seeking OPD consultation for cardiac tests. 

“For the last two days, we have seen a 30 per cent increase in patients seeking OPD services for heart health. On an average, our hospital sees about 1,200 OPD patients on weekdays — this sudden spurt is causing distress to the system. On Sundays, the OPD is closed but 150 patients seek assistance via emergency on an average. This Sunday, though, the number was 550,” Dr C.N. Manjunath, director of Bengaluru’s Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences told ThePrint. Headquartered in Bengaluru, it is the largest tertiary care in the state, run by the Karnataka government.

The situation is similar in private hospitals as well. “Despite successive holidays, our Bengaluru unit has reported about a 20-25 per cent increase in the number of patients seeking cardiac health evaluation. Most patients are in their 20s or 30s. They are making specific requests for CT angiography. We are glad that there is awareness about heart health, but there should be no panic,” said Dr Sudarshan Ballal, chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Manipal Group of Hospitals.

Doctors attribute the phenomenon to the shock over the sudden death of the seemingly healthy and fit Puneeth Rajkumar.

“Other than annual check-ups for overall preventive care, only those with multiple risk factors like hypertension, stressful lifestyle, heavy drinking, smoking, sleeplessness, and family history of cardiac diseases need such tests. Tests like ECG, ECHO, treadmill stress test are recommended, but one must not get CT angio done multiple times, since it strains the kidneys,” said Dr Manjunath.

Not just in Bengaluru

The rush at hospitals for cardiac check-ups isn’t limited to Bengaluru alone. There has been a sharp increase in the number of people approaching hospitals in other parts of Karnataka too, seeking heart health assessment.

“Interestingly, many are also patients who have a history of heart ailments but are negligent of follow-up visits and monitoring. Even they are now coming for check-ups. Most of the new patients are in their 30s,” said Dr Ameet Sattur, interventional cardiologist, Sattur Heartcare and Suchirayu Hospital, Hubballi. 

While awareness around heart health is “welcome”, people must also be mindful of other related factors, he added.

“Those wanting to begin working out at gyms have started coming in for assessment. It is important to understand the limits of your body to avoid unnecessary overworking and stress,” Dr Sattur said. 

Dr Arun Srinivas, a renowned cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, Mysuru, said the rush was a “knee jerk reaction” to the actor’s death.

“Our OPD has seen a jump by 35 per cent over the last two days. Investigations for heart-related issues have increased especially among people in their 30s — 99 per cent of them are absolutely healthy but panic is driving them to the hospitals when awareness should be the motivating factor,” said Dr Srinivas.

(Edited by Paramita Ghosh)