Rituraj Singh dies of sudden cardiac arrest
Rituraj Singh passing away due to sudden cardiac arrest after being treated for pancreatic illness at 59, questions arise as to the link between the two and whether any kind of pancreatic disease can be a risk for your heart. Several existing studies have shown an association but not causation as such.
Explains Dr Sanjeev Gera, Director and HOD, Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Noida, “Pancreatic illness can’t cause cardiac arrest directly until and unless someone has got a hidden or undiagnosed condition in the heart or they have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, smoking, a stressful or sedentary lifestyle. Anyone who has got these risk factors along with pancreatic illness is vulnerable to even small blockages rupturing and causing a heart attack. Sometimes clotting and blockages interfere with electric impulses of the heart, leading to a sudden cardiac arrest.” Based on anecdotal evidence of patients, he has found that usually those who have pancreatic illness are alcoholic and heavy smokers, so there’s a high probability of them having silent heart disease.
Rituraj Singh dies of sudden cardiac arrest when the patient has an infection like acute pancreatitis, there is an increased inflammation in the body. “Whenever inflammatory markers are increased, there is thickening of blood and chances of formation of clots. Besides, inflammation also damages the walls of the blood vessels. So the plaque ruptures easily, clotting happens, triggering a heart attack. When the heart attack disrupts blood flow and the damaged heart tissue disrupts electrical signals that control the heart, there is a sudden cardiac arrest,” says Dr Gera. Stress cardiomyopathy should also be considered in case of patients suffering from acute pancreatitis. “Since this condition stresses out the body, it produces adrenaline and noradrenaline to counter this.
The excess adrenaline gush narrows the arteries and decreases the blood flow to the heart. The adrenaline may also cause more calcium to enter the cells than is required, preventing the heart from beating properly, triggering arrhythmia, stopping the heart and causing a sudden cardiac arrest.” So how should someone with pancreatic illness go about a preventive regimen while getting themselves treated? “If you have any co-morbidities, then go for a heart check-up. Even if you do not have them, monitor the severity of your illness. If you have a long persistent infection in the body, then you should get an echocardiogram, ECG and other cardiac tests done,” advises Dr Gera.
