Cardiac surgeon dies of heart attack during rounds at Chennai hospital, sparking alarm over young doctors’ health

In a grim twist of fate, a 39-year-old cardiac surgeon who spent his life saving others from heart disease lost his own battle to one on August 30 morning.

Dr Gradlin Roy collapsed during routine ward rounds at Saveetha Medical Hospital in Chennai and could not be revived despite an extraordinary rescue effort by his colleagues. According to Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, the medical team fought relentlessly, performing CPR, angioplasty with stenting, intra-aortic balloon pump, and even deploying ECMO. But the damage caused by a 100% blockage in the left main artery proved irreversible.

“The irony is stark — those who dedicate their lives to saving others’ hearts are often neglecting their own,” Dr Kumar said in a post on X, underscoring a growing pattern of sudden cardiac deaths among young doctors.

Dr Roy is survived by his wife and young son.

Experts say the tragedy reflects a troubling trend: mounting stress, erratic hours, poor sleep, and unhealthy lifestyles are taking a toll on physicians’ cardiovascular health. “Doctors live under immense pressure, from decision fatigue to medicolegal concerns, while often ignoring their own preventive care,” Dr Kumar noted. Many, he added, skip health check-ups, eat irregular meals, and rely on caffeine to power through demanding schedules.

The risks extend beyond stress. Prolonged sedentary hours in operation theatres or consultations, emotional exhaustion, and even higher rates of smoking or alcohol use further heighten vulnerability. Burnout and depression, experts warn, silently add to cardiovascular strain.

Cardiac surgeon Dr V V Bashi recently cautioned about the surge in heart attacks among young Indians, pointing to early-onset diabetes, poor diets, obesity, and uncontrolled hypertension as major drivers. He added that fitness alone is no shield, with several cases emerging of apparently healthy individuals collapsing during workouts. “Hidden cardiac conditions, overexertion, and subtle symptoms like fatigue or breathlessness often go unnoticed — until it is too late,” he said.

Dr Roy’s sudden passing has reignited an urgent conversation about the health crisis among doctors — the very people tasked with keeping the nation alive.