August 29, Friday: The medical staff in the Chennai city was left stunned on Thursday with the unexpected death of cardiac surgeon Dr. Gradlin Roy, 39, who died after falling on his way to work in Chennai. He was taken to a local hospital where the doctors tried CPR, and even tried all advanced life support measures. He couldn't be saved despite all efforts. Dr. Roy leaves behind his wife and infant son.
Colleagues mourn over a life cut short
His death was widely reported on social media by Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar, who posted on X, "Dr. Gradlin Roy collapsed during ward rounds. 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.” He described the incident as a painful reminder that even doctors who dedicate their lives to saving others’ hearts are vulnerable to neglecting their own.
Rising health crisis among young professionals
The tragic incident is not an exception. As reported by Times of India, many doctors in the age group of 30s and 40s have died due to sudden cardiac arrests in India for the last couple of years. Dr. Kumar attributed long working hours, excessive stress, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and avoidable preventive care as major reasons for the increasing incidence of heart ailments among young professionals, particularly doctors.
Medical professionals are tensed with this frightening increase in premature cardiac deaths. This calls for the need for better lifestyle modifications, yearly health checkups, and improved work life balance. To many, Dr. Roy's death is more than just a death, it is an eye opener.
