Karnataka's Hassan district has experienced a surge in heart attack cases, with over 23 deaths reported within a 40-day period in mid-2025. This rise prompted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to suggest a possible link between the COVID-19 vaccine and the sudden cardiac deaths, leading to the formation of an expert committee headed by Dr. C. N. Ravindranath to investigate the matter. The panel's findings, submitted in early July 2025, concluded there is no direct causal link between COVID-19 vaccination and the increase in heart attack deaths. The committee noted that 75% of the deceased had known cardiac risk factors and that sudden cardiac events among young adults (aged 19-43) are a concern, but no unusual spike in cardiac deaths was confirmed. Health authorities emphasized the importance of early cardiac screening and the establishment of a cardiac surveillance system for early risk detection. The Karnataka Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, reported a 4-5% rise in heart attack deaths post-COVID but did not attribute this to vaccines or the virus itself. Meanwhile, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon's chief, defended the COVID-19 vaccines, stating they have saved millions of lives and were approved following rigorous protocols. Additionally, public concern has led to increased hospital visits for cardiac check-ups, with some hospitals reporting a 20-25% surge in patients. The government is advocating stronger screening measures and mandatory reporting of sudden cardiac deaths in individuals under 45 to address this public health issue. Separately, at least four deaths and 38 hospitalizations were reported in Hydernagar due to consumption of adulterated toddy, unrelated to the cardiac cases in Hassan.