BENGALURU: The demise of Sandalwood star Puneeth Rajkumar, 46, has triggered a debate on cardiac issues among ‘youngsters’ — those in their late 30s and early 40s — in medical communities.
Doctors who treated Puneeth say family history of cardiac illness cannot be ignored.
Dr Ramana Rao, Puneeth’s cardiologist, said his patient had no other risk factors and it was only the family’s history of cardiac ailments that led to his condition. He said both his brothers were treated for cardiac issues.
“Puneeth was the epitome of physical fitness and an example I gave to all,” Dr Rao said. “I think it’s pure genetics that worked against him and nothing else. His was a case of cardiac arrest, where the heart just stopped. It’s next to impossible to revive such cases.”
Dr CN Manjunath, director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Institute (SJICSR), said 15% of patients below the age of 40 years with heart disease have a family history of such issues.
While conducting research on premature coronary artery disease, a team at SJICSR found that of the 2,500 heart attack cases among ‘youngsters’ between 2016 and 2018 that they studied, 30% had no conventional risk factor.
“Genetics plays a major role. Family history was seen in 15% of the young heart attack cases as per our study,” Dr Manjunath said.
Puneeth had returned from the gym when he felt uneasy and rushed to meet Dr Rao on Friday morning. “Puneeth was very intelligent. If he had the slightest doubt about his health, he definitely would not have worked out on Friday morning,” said Dr Rao.
Dr Adil Sadiq, head, adult cardiothoracic surgery, Sakra World Hospital, said that while there are many risk factors that are mutable, family history is not something that can be changed.“We are born with it and we can’t change our genes, so it continues to be a risk factor. However, with early detection, it can be controlled through medicine,” said Dr Sadiq.
Those with a family history of heart disease must check their cholesterol levels and perform a treadmill test to check if all is well, said Dr Sadiq. “These tests indicate if there are any issues. One must not wait to turn 40 to get these tests done. If there are no findings, then it can be done once in three years,” he said.
Dr Sadiq said Asians are at higher risk of heart diseases than Europeans. Triglyceride, a type of lipid in the blood, is a major risk factor, he said.
