In a heartbreaking turn of events, 39-year-old cardiac surgeon Dr. Gradlin Roy collapsed during ward rounds and succumbed to a massive cardiac arrest in Chennai. His sudden death has sent ripples of grief and shock through the medical fraternity and beyond, raising urgent concerns voiced by doctors across the country.
Soon after the collapse, his colleagues intervened by giving him CPR, an emergency angioplasty with stent placement, intra-aortic balloon pump support, and finally ECMO. Yet they were unable to save him. Doctors later confirmed that he had suffered a massive cardiac arrest caused by a complete blockage of the left main coronary artery.
His untimely and unexpected demise has affected the whole medical community along with the general population and has sent shockwaves and a very clear message that what might seem harmless at first, could be the reason for a silent yet serious health crisis among young healthcare professionals.
Dr. Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old cardiac surgeon, collapsed during ward rounds. Colleagues fought valiantly-CPR, urgent angioplasty with stenting, intra-aortic balloon pump, even ECMO. But nothing could reverse the damage from a massive cardiac arrest due to a 100% left main artery blockage. My heartfelt condolences. Om Shanti
His tragic death is not an isolated event. In recent years, India has witnessed several young doctors, often in their 30s and 40s, succumbing suddenly to heart attacks. The irony is stark: those who dedicate their lives to saving others’ hearts are often neglecting their own.
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💔Yesterday morning brought heartbreaking news.
Dr. Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old cardiac surgeon, collapsed during ward rounds. Colleagues fought valiantly-CPR, urgent angioplasty with stenting, intra-aortic balloon… pic.twitter.com/cS8ViaYeYv— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) August 28, 2025
His sudden death has left the medical fraternity and the public in deep shock, sparking urgent conversations about the rising health risks faced by doctors. It has also sent a clear message to the wider population that symptoms often dismissed as harmless could, in fact, signal a silent yet serious health crisis among young healthcare professionals.
