Dr. Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old consultant cardiac surgeon at Saveetha Medical College in Chennai, tragically collapsed and died during his rounds at the hospital on Wednesday. His colleagues, led by Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist based in Hyderabad, attempted to revive him with immediate medical interventions. Despite their best efforts, including CPR, urgent angioplasty, intra-aortic balloon pump, and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), Dr. Roy could not be saved due to a massive cardiac arrest caused by a 100% blockage in his left main artery.

Dr. Kumar shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that Dr. Roy’s death highlights a disturbing trend of young doctors in their 30s and 40s suffering from sudden cardiac events. Experts point to prolonged working hours as one of the key factors contributing to such fatalities. Many doctors work grueling 12-18 hour shifts, with some even working more than 24 hours straight, putting immense strain on their bodies.

Stress is another significant factor. Doctors frequently face high-pressure situations, making life-or-death decisions while also contending with intense patient expectations and medico-legal concerns. These stresses, coupled with unhealthy lifestyles—such as irregular meals, lack of physical activity, and neglecting regular health check-ups—further exacerbate health risks.

Mental health issues, including burnout, anxiety, and depression, are also prevalent in the medical profession but are often overlooked.

Dr. Roy is survived by his wife and young son, and his tragic death has left the medical community mourning the loss of a dedicated and talented professional.

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