Chennai Cardiac Surgeon Dies of Heart Attack at 39: Experts Warn No One Is Too Young for Heart Disease

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, August 29, 2025 - A 39-year-old cardiac surgeon from Chennai, Dr. Gradlin Roy, collapsed and died of a massive heart attack while on ward rounds at work. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts including CPR, a coronary stent, an intra-aortic balloon pump, and ECMO the complete blockage in a coronary artery proved fatal.

His unexpected death, profoundly ironic considering his specialisation in heart care, has shocked the medical community and reignited concerns about cardiovascular risk in seemingly healthy professionals and young adults.

Escalating Concerns for Young Professionals

A senior physician associated with CMC Vellore warned that long working hours, chronic stress, irregular routines, poor sleep, and unhealthy eating habits are significant contributors to rising cardiac events among physicians and young working adults. The World Health Organization links occupational stress and modern lifestyles with increased incidence of non-communicable diseases, including heart condition.

Increasing Sudden Cardiac Events Among the Young

Case reports, including the deaths of public figures such as actor Shefali Jariwala at age 42, have drawn attention to a trend of silent heart disease in young and active individuals.

In a heartfelt message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar issued a stark reminder to his peers: “When the healer falls, it must serve as a wake-up call for doctors’ heart health.” His post about Dr. Gradlin Roy's death, calls for doctors to give priority to their health and safeguard their health.

Prevention Must Begin Early

Experts advocate for routine health screenings, lifestyle modifications, adequate rest, and stress management. These measures are key to reversing the trend of sudden heart events in younger populations, ensuring that preventive care addresses all, even those who treat patients for similar conditions.

A study published in International Journal of Cardiology Sciences by Amandeep Singh and Gagandeep Singh, recent evidence underscores a concerning public health trend: sudden cardiac death (SCD) is on the rise among Indians under 40. A descriptive study reviewed medical records, government data, and prior research to identify key contributing factors. It found that a combination of genetic predispositions, undiagnosed heart conditions, sedentary lifestyles, and substance misuse significantly increases the risk of cardiac arrest in young individuals. The authors recommend early screening programs and public awareness campaigns to mitigate this growing health crisis.

Reference:

1. Singh, Amandeep, and Gagandeep Singh. “A Public Health Concern: The Increasing Rate of Cardiac Arrest among Young Indians.” International Journal of Cardiology Sciences 7, no. 1B (2025): 158–159. https://doi.org/10.33545/26649020.2025.v7.i1b.107.

(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)