Puneet Rajkumar: Doctors divided over probable reasons leading to death

An interaction with several senior doctors, experts in different areas of specialisation leads to further confusion over the probable reasons that might have led to the tragic demise of Sandalwood Power Star Puneet Rajkumar. But much more than the real causes, some of the leads hinting at Covid-19 related after-effects already making many young people fatal victims look to be an alarming development!

Undetected cardiomyopathy led to sudden cardiac arrest: Dr Kavery Nambisan is based in Kodagu and is well-known for treating Covid-19 patients in the early two waves with Ivermycticin. She says: "I do not know if he had the covid infection at any time. In which case, undetected cardiomyopathy causing disruption of electrical conduits in the heart could lead to sudden cardiac arrest...

Dr. Kavery Nambisan

...The other possibility is the risk of a coagulation disorder and fatal clot formation. All covid patients need loving term rest from physical string and are advised anticoagulant (clopidogrel) daily for 3 to 6 months", says Dr Kavery Nambisan.

Exercise like this should not be performed: Dr Devan PP, a renowned Manguluru based immunologist squarely blames the overdoing attitude causing the tragedy. He feels: "Just it should not have happened. One precaution is, that intense exercise like this should not be performed...

Dr Devan PP

...The second thing is when too much of a strain is there it puts a strain on the conducting system of the heart and that requires supplementation of fish oil. The third is whenever there is a cardiac strain or an impending attack the only thing that saves 99% of lives is taking one Aspirin tablet which everybody after 40 should carry in your pocket. All of this was missing in his case and in fact, was impending and what happened was what was waiting to happen", concludes Dr Devan PP.

Doctors, Trainers and Public puzzled and confused: Dr Anirudha R.Podder is a Senior Consultant and Head, Department of Gynae Oncology, Mahaveer Cancer Sansthan Patna appears to be perplexed with the ongoings. He asks back in return: "Why are young healthy Indians with no comorbid conditions dying a sudden death these days?...

Dr. Anirudha R Podder

...Why are young Indians who are admired for their strict, fastidious and healthy lifestyle dying without any prior warning? Why are young and early middle-aged Indians with no history of any underlying condition, or any kind of addiction dying suddenly and unexpectedly? These questions have left doctors, trainers, and the public puzzled and confused", he admits.

Increasing deaths frightening, intriguing: Dr Anirudha R.Podder confesses: "As a medical man somewhat disconnected with cardiac conditions, it is frightening as well as intriguing that such deaths are being increasingly seen among celebrities as well as ordinary folk...

...In instances where the individual is a smoker, an alcoholic or suffering from underlying heart disease or uncontrolled diabetes, or a congenital condition, the cause of untimely death is self-explanatory. But what we are witnessing today is sudden death in an apparently healthy individual with no addiction or underlying condition", he laments.

Four plausible causes: Dr Anirudha R. Podder feels: "In my opinion, there could be 4 plausible causes.

1. COVID. A history of COVID which might have been severe or mild, and the risk of sudden cardiac arrest could be one of the long term sequelae.

2. Young men and women taking fitness regimen far too seriously. Long term effects of protein supplements and being on a keto diet for extensive periods of time might not be safe as many might think.

3. Stress- This could probably be the biggest culprit. Many of us realize and accept only in hindsight how badly we have been affected by stress in our lives. We usually brush it off when people around us warn us not to stress ourselves. The combined effect of mental stress due to career insecurities, societal pressures, and fear of failure is never acknowledged. And if there is a strenuous daily workout with restricted sleep, the combination is dangerous.

Many fitness freaks don't understand that the kind of workouts and sleep requirements cannot remain the same from the age of 20 to 50.

4. Another overlooked aspect is our diet. We Indians are by our body constitution, prone to diabetes, and heart disease. The risk only increases if we have diabetes running in family and lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Refined sugar and hyperinsulinemia (high insulin level which is a body response to consumption of refined carbohydrates) are known to increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest...

...Consuming 4 to 5 small spoons of white sugar in tea/coffee/milk might not be harmful to an average adult with a healthy lifestyle. And once a week consumption of a generous helping of sweets is also fine. But we underestimate our intake of refined sugars in form of aerated drinks, health drinks (which aren't very healthy in reality), chocolates, biscuits, bakery items, and processed foods...

...And so is the salt intake and quality of cooking oil. Repeatedly using the same oil for frying is also believed to be unhealthy. Thus it is better to take smaller quantities of oil and fry in batches than repeatedly frying in a big kadhai containing stale oil.

It's a good thing that many Indians today are aware of the dangers of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, and a sedentary lifestyle. But it's high time we also acknowledge the dangers of excessive and strenuous exercise over long periods of time, reduced sleep, high stress, excessive intake of refined sugar and salt, and finally the poor quality of cooking oil", he opines.

Long term sequelae of Covid unknown: "Regarding covid, I would like to add/clarify- long term sequelae of covid are not completely known and needs to be studied. The infection has been known to mankind only for the last 2 years or so. Remember it's a novel Coronavirus infection and new variants are emerging" warns Dr Anirudha R.Podder.

Covid-19 could be another probable cause: Somnath Gadgay of Bidar is a Mechanical Engineer by profession. Thanks to his enthusiasm for dairy farming, he has become a successful entrepreneur by rearing hundreds of Murra and Haryanvi species of buffaloes on the outskirts of Bidar, en route Hyderabad.

Lost nephew for the same reason: He suffered a tragedy within the family recently. He recalls: "I wanted to put forth another probable cause maybe COVID. The virus has impacted more on our health system. The sudden rise in massive cardiac arrest in the younger age group from 15 onwards is seen in recent times. Although it's a matter of research how deeply COVID is affecting our lives. But I lost my nephew a fortnight ago, same reason: A MASSIVE CARDIAC ARREST!

Youngsters becoming victims poses a scary situation: All these days, it was being presumed that following Covid-19 related precautionary measures and two doses of vaccination will ensure your safety. Also, there is no clarity on the havoc of the Third wave. But much more alarming is the late tendency of teenagers and youngsters becoming prey to massive cardiac arrests. Perhaps, it's high time for those at the helm of affairs to take notice of this precarious development and act to ensure that the nightmare doesn't continue for long?

-Manohar Yadavatti