The wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is recovering well after a sudden health scare that led to her being moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Bengaluru. She was admitted to Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, on 17 November with complaints of severe breathing difficulty. Doctors later found that the problem was caused by left ventricular dysfunction — a condition in which the heart’s main pumping chamber becomes weak and struggles to push out enough blood.

The weakness in the heart led to pulmonary oedema, a medical emergency where fluid begins to collect inside the lungs, making it hard for a person to breathe. Explaining the condition in simple terms, cardiologists say it feels “like drowning from the inside” because the lungs cannot absorb enough oxygen.

According to the medical bulletin issued by Apollo Hospitals, the patient was quickly shifted to the ICU and placed on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) — a form of breathing support that uses a face mask instead of inserting a tube into the windpipe. Doctors also administered diuretics, medicines that help remove extra fluid from the body, easing both lung congestion and the heart’s workload. She received additional cardiac medications to stabilise her condition.

Dr Soumya MS, Medical Superintendent of Apollo Hospitals, said the timely intervention and continuous monitoring helped her respond positively to treatment. Senior cardiologist Dr B. C. Srinivas supervised her care. “She has shown significant clinical improvement and is now stable,” the bulletin said, offering reassurance to concerned citizens.

Given her husband’s public role, the health update drew widespread attention across Karnataka. However, hospital authorities stressed privacy and focused strictly on medical facts. The statement noted that she is now well enough to be shifted out of the ICU and moved to the ward for continued monitoring and recovery.

Doctors say she will continue to receive careful observation over the coming days as part of standard post-ICU care.