Chennai Cardiac Surgeon, 39, Dies of Heart Attack: CMC Vellore Doctor Sounds Alarm on Rising Cardiac Risks Among Young Doctors
Chennai, August 29, 2025, 9:48 PM IST – The sudden death of Dr. Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old cardiac surgeon at Saveetha Medical College in Chennai, from a massive heart attack during ward rounds on August 27 has sent shockwaves through India’s medical community. Despite heroic efforts by colleagues—including CPR, urgent angioplasty, stenting, an intra-aortic balloon pump, and even extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—nothing could reverse the damage caused by a complete blockage in his left main artery. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist trained at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, has taken to social media to highlight this tragedy as part of a disturbing trend: young doctors in their 30s and 40s succumbing to sudden cardiac events. His stark warning, coupled with expert insights, points to relentless work stress, irregular lifestyles, and neglected self-care as key culprits, raising urgent questions about the health of those tasked with saving lives.
A Tragic Irony: The Heart Surgeon’s Final Moments
Dr. Gradlin Roy, a highly regarded consultant cardiac surgeon, collapsed mid-shift at Saveetha Medical College on Wednesday, August 27, while conducting routine ward rounds. Colleagues described a frantic scene as the hospital’s medical team sprang into action, employing every available tool to revive him. “We tried everything—CPR, stenting, balloon pumps, even ECMO,” said a fellow doctor who requested anonymity. Yet, the massive cardiac arrest, triggered by a 100% blockage in the left main coronary artery, proved irreversible. Dr. Roy, survived by his wife and young son, was pronounced dead after hours of resuscitation efforts, leaving the medical fraternity reeling from the loss of one of its own.
The irony of a cardiac surgeon falling victim to the very condition he dedicated his life to treating has not been lost on the public. Dr. Roy’s death, first reported by Dr. Sudhir Kumar on X, sparked widespread grief and introspection. “The healer has fallen,” Dr. Kumar wrote, sharing a poignant post that garnered over 10,000 engagements. “Dr. Gradlin Roy’s demise is a wake-up call for doctors’ heart health.” His message underscored a grim reality: this is not an isolated incident but part of a growing pattern of young doctors in India succumbing to sudden heart attacks.
A Disturbing Trend: Why Are Doctors Collapsing?
Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a CMC Vellore-trained neurologist based in Hyderabad, has emerged as a vocal advocate for addressing this alarming trend. Drawing on his expertise and recent studies, he outlined key factors contributing to the rising incidence of cardiac events among young doctors, particularly those in their 30s and 40s. “Long hours, relentless stress, irregular lifestyles, and neglected self-care are pushing even lifesavers to the brink,” he posted on X, citing World Health Organization data linking overwork to hundreds of thousands of global deaths annually.
Experts echo Dr. Kumar’s concerns, pointing to the grueling demands of the medical profession. Doctors in India often work 12- to 18-hour shifts, sometimes exceeding 24 hours during emergencies, leaving little time for rest, exercise, or healthy eating. “The irony is daunting,” noted a Times of India report. “A cardiac surgeon, trained to save hearts, falls victim to the same condition.” Dr. Kumar highlighted that Dr. Roy’s case mirrors others in recent years, with several young doctors across India dying suddenly from cardiac arrests. A 2023 study in JAMA Cardiology, referenced by Dr. Kumar, suggests that signs of heart disease can begin nearly a decade before a major event, often going unnoticed due to subtle symptoms like declining physical activity.
Dr. Vivek Sharma, a cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, elaborated on the physiological toll. “Chronic stress triggers cortisol and adrenaline surges, raising blood pressure and damaging arteries over time,” he explained. “Add sleep deprivation and poor diet—common among doctors—and you have a recipe for disaster.” The CARDIA study, cited by Dr. Kumar, found that a decline in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity begins about 12 years before a cardiovascular diagnosis, with a sharper drop two years prior. For doctors, whose schedules leave little room for exercise, this risk is amplified.
Systemic Pressures and Neglected Self-Care
The medical community’s response to Dr. Roy’s death has spotlighted systemic issues. India’s healthcare system, strained by a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:1,445—far below WHO recommendations—forces physicians to shoulder immense workloads. At high-pressure institutions like Saveetha and CMC Vellore, doctors often juggle clinical duties, research, and teaching, leaving little time for personal health. “We’re trained to prioritize patients over ourselves,” said Dr. Anjali Menon, a cardiologist at CMC Vellore. “Routine checkups or stress management? Most of us don’t have the time.”
Dr. Kumar’s X posts emphasized preventive measures, urging doctors to prioritize regular health screenings, stress management, and lifestyle changes. “An ECG, stress test, or lipid profile could catch risks early,” he wrote, advocating for 30 minutes of daily exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet. Yet, cultural factors within the profession often discourage self-care. “Doctors feel invincible,” said Dr. Sharma. “We diagnose heart disease in others but ignore our own symptoms, mistaking them for fatigue or stress.”
Public and Professional Reactions
Dr. Roy’s death has resonated far beyond Chennai, prompting an outpouring of grief and calls for reform on social media. X users shared tributes with hashtags like #SaveOurDoctors and #HeartHealth, while others criticized the healthcare system’s toll on its workers. “Doctors are human, not machines. Hospitals must cap work hours,” posted @HealthForAll, a handle with 15,000 followers. Medical associations, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), have renewed demands for better working conditions, with IMA Tamil Nadu president Dr. R. Muthuselvan stating, “We need mandatory health checks and mental health support for doctors.”
The tragedy has also sparked introspection at Saveetha Medical College and CMC Vellore, both renowned for their cardiology programs. CMC’s Department of Cardiology, established in 1951, is a pioneer in India, performing over 7,000 cardiac procedures annually and conducting cutting-edge research on coronary artery disease. Yet, even at such institutions, doctors face the same pressures as their peers nationwide. “We’re planning wellness programs to address this,” said a Saveetha spokesperson, though specifics remain unclear.
A Call to Action
Dr. Kumar’s warnings, amplified by Dr. Roy’s tragic death, have put a spotlight on the need for systemic change. Proposals include limiting shift lengths, mandating annual health screenings for doctors, and fostering a culture that prioritizes physician well-being. The WHO’s data on overwork-related deaths—745,000 annually from heart disease and stroke—underscores the urgency. In India, where heart disease is the leading cause of death, claiming lakhs of lives yearly, the loss of a cardiac surgeon to a heart attack is a stark reminder of the stakes.
As tributes pour in for Dr. Gradlin Roy, whose expertise saved countless lives, the medical community faces a reckoning. “When the healer falls, it’s a tragedy for us all,” Dr. Kumar wrote on X, concluding with a plea: “Let’s protect those who protect us.” Whether this tragedy catalyzes meaningful reform or fades as another statistic will depend on the actions of hospitals, policymakers, and doctors themselves. For now, Dr. Roy’s legacy serves as both a warning and a call to safeguard the hearts of India’s lifesavers.
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