Cardiac surgeon, 39, dies of heart attack during rounds at Chennai hospital

Dr Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old consultant cardiac surgeon at Saveetha Medical Hospital, in Chennai, collapsed during ward rounds on Wednesday and passed away despite desperate efforts to save him.

According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist, Dr Roy’s colleagues immediately launched an intensive rescue attempt. “Colleagues fought valiantly — CPR, urgent angioplasty with stenting, intra-aortic balloon pump, even ECMO. But nothing could reverse the damage from a massive cardiac arrest due to a 100% left main artery blockage,” Dr Kumar wrote on X.

Dr Kumar also highlighted that Dr Roy’s tragic death was not an isolated incident, pointing to a disturbing rise in sudden cardiac events among young doctors in their 30s and 40s. He remarked on the cruel irony of the situation, stating that those who dedicate their lives to saving others’ hearts often neglect their own.

"His tragic death is not an isolated event. In recent years, India has witnessed several young doctors, often in their 30s and 40s, succumbing suddenly to heart attacks. The irony is stark: those who dedicate their lives to saving others’ hearts are often neglecting their own," he further wrote.

Dr Roy is survived by his wife and a young son.

Dr Sudhir Kumar outlined several factors that make doctors increasingly vulnerable to heart attacks. He noted that long and erratic working hours often lead to chronic sleep deprivation and disruption of the circadian rhythm. High stress levels caused by decision fatigue, constant pressure from patients and families, as well as medicolegal concerns, further compound the risk.

He also held the sedentary lifestyle of doctors responsible for heart diseases. This includes prolonged standing in operation theatres or sitting through outpatient consultations with little time left for aerobic exercise.

Unhealthy eating habits also play a significant role, with irregular meals, reliance on hospital canteen food, and frequent caffeine intake becoming routine. Many doctors tend to neglect preventive care by postponing their own health check-ups and ignoring early warning signs. The psychological burden of burnout, depression, and emotional exhaustion adds to cardiovascular strain, while higher rates of smoking and alcohol consumption among some practitioners further heighten the risk, he wrote on X.

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