The sudden passing of singer and actor Prashant Tamang has sent shockwaves throughout India. The beloved Indian Idol Season 3 winner died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Delhi. He was just 43 years old and reportedly in good health.
Not an Isolated Incident
Tamang's tragic death follows another high-profile case. Agnivesh Agarwal, son of Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal, recently died from cardiac arrest at age 49. These back-to-back tragedies involving relatively young individuals have raised serious concerns about heart health in India.
Understanding Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest, medically known as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. This life-threatening condition can strike without warning.
Eminent cardiologist Dr. Nitish Naik from AIIMS explains the connection to modern lifestyles. "Coronary artery disease isn't just for the middle-aged or elderly," he states. "Blockages begin forming in our arteries much earlier, often in our 20s and 30s."
Dr. Naik identifies several contributing factors:
- Sedentary urban lifestyles
- Unhealthy eating habits including binge-eating
- Various addictions
- High stress levels
Why Younger People Are Affected
India is witnessing a disturbing rise in cardiac arrests among people under 50. Multiple factors combine to create this health crisis.
Dr. Naik points to dietary changes as particularly problematic. "It's much easier to buy chips, cola, or carbohydrate drinks than healthier alternatives like lassi, nimbu pani, or fresh fruit," he observes. "This represents one negative aspect of globalization."
The cardiologist highlights specific concerns:
- Trans fats in preserved foods that our bodies cannot digest properly
- Decreased physical activity across all age groups
- Genetic predispositions combined with poor lifestyle choices
- Increasing availability of cheap, unhealthy food options
Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
Many people confuse these two conditions, but they differ significantly.
Cardiac arrest means the heart has completely stopped beating. This represents the most serious cardiac emergency.
Heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle gets blocked. This blockage can then trigger cardiac arrest.
Dr. Naik clarifies: "In cardiac arrest, the heart doesn't contract or beat. A heart attack is actually a layman's term for sudden artery blockage that stops blood flow, weakens heart muscle, and can cause cardiac arrest."
Can Healthy People Experience Cardiac Arrest?
Alarmingly, even apparently healthy individuals can suffer sudden cardiac events.
"Cardiac arrest can be the initial manifestation of a heart attack," Dr. Naik warns. "A person might have no known health issues yet develop a blockage that becomes their first cardiac arrest symptom."
The cardiologist notes that even marathon runners and extreme sports enthusiasts aren't immune. "They might feel perfectly fine, then collapse within seconds. Heart attacks can happen that abruptly."
The Lifesaving Power of CPR
Given the sudden nature of cardiac arrests, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) becomes critically important.
CPR is an emergency procedure performed when someone's heartbeat stops. Immediate application dramatically improves survival chances.
Dr. Naik emphasizes: "If someone experiences cardiac arrest and you perform CPR immediately, scientific evidence shows a 90% chance of reviving them."
Since cardiac arrests can occur anywhere—homes, offices, public spaces—widespread CPR knowledge could save countless lives.
The recent tragedies involving Prashant Tamang and Agnivesh Agarwal serve as stark reminders. Heart health demands attention regardless of age or apparent fitness. Lifestyle modifications combined with emergency preparedness through CPR training could help reverse this troubling trend among India's younger population.
