In a heartbreaking incident that shook the medical community, Dr. Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old consultant cardiac surgeon at Saveetha Medical College Hospital in Chennai, succumbed to a massive cardiac arrest while on duty. Despite rapid intervention including CPR, angioplasty, stenting, and advanced life support, his life could not be saved.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar shared this news in a post on X and raised an alarm that this is not an isolated case and young doctors are prone to sudden heart attacks.
Dr. Roy’s sudden death has become a grim reminder of an escalating crisis within the healthcare sector, young doctors collapsing from severe health issues linked to stress, overwork, and neglected self-care. The event has ignited urgent discussions among health professionals, administrators, and policymakers on safeguarding doctors’ health, a concern too often overlooked.
The Stark Reality of Physician Burnout and Physical Strain
Dr. Roy’s passing is emblematic of a widespread problem plaguing healthcare workers globally, especially in India where long and irregular working hours are commonplace. Doctors frequently endure demanding shifts lasting 12 to 18 hours, often extending to 24 or even 48 hours during emergencies or critical care situations. These exhaustive schedules are compounded by emotional stress, high patient loads, and the pressure to perform flawlessly.
As a result, many healthcare professionals experience chronic fatigue, hypertension, irregular meals, and sleep deprivation. According to the World Health Organization, long working hours were responsible for approximately 745,000 deaths worldwide from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, highlighting the scale of risk faced by medical workers.
This striking statistic resonates painfully within the medical fraternity amid rising instances of sudden cardiac events among young doctors.
Underlying Causes of Health Risks for Medical Professionals
While doctors possess intricate knowledge of health, their own physical and mental well-being is frequently compromised by the relentless demands of their profession. Irregular and insufficient nutrition, constant stress, limited opportunities for rest, and high-pressure work environments contribute to deteriorating cardiovascular and psychological health.
Studies indicate that healthcare workers are disproportionately affected by lifestyle diseases compared to the general population, despite their awareness of preventive measures. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of workplace violence and harassment adds to emotional exhaustion.
This cocktail of factors forms a perfect storm for heart attacks, burnout, and mental health issues among clinicians, with many succumbing in their prime. The systemic shortage of staff, leading to higher workloads and reduced recovery time, exacerbates these problems, making reforms essential.
Expert Insights: Steps to Protect Doctor Health
Experts emphasize that tackling this crisis requires multifaceted strategies addressing both the work environment and personal health management. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at CMC Vellore, underscores the importance of implementing regulated working hours, mandatory breaks, and mental health support within hospitals. He shared some tips in a post on X.
- Regular health check-ups: Yearly screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, ECG, and stress tests when needed.
- Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7+ hours, even if split, and protect sleep like a critical work appointment.
- Daily physical activity: At least 30 minutes of brisk walking, jogging, or cycling.
- Mindful nutrition: Balanced meals, control portions, reduce fried foods and sugar intake.
- Stress management: Practice yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, or engage in relaxing hobbies.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol completely.
- Build support systems: Peer networks and regular mental health check-ins.
- Listen to your body: Don’t ignore chest pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
- Take breaks, vacations, and spend quality time with loved ones.
- Learn to say NO: Postpone elective procedures and non-urgent consultations if overworked.
Medical education curricula should also integrate training on self-care and stress management to prepare future doctors for the profession’s challenges. International health bodies recommend policies curbing shift lengths and ensuring adequate staffing to mitigate burnout and related health risks.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dr. Gradlin Roy’s untimely death is a powerful call to action to reimagine healthcare systems that honour and protect the healers. The Logical Indian advocates for a compassionate transformation that champions doctors’ health as integral to patient care quality and public health sustainability. Empathy should encompass healthcare workers’ lives beyond their white coats, fostering environments where they can thrive professionally and personally.
By confronting this critical issue through awareness, expert guidance, systemic change, and collective empathy, the healthcare sector can move towards a future where no doctor’s life is cut short due to preventable occupational hazards.
When the Healer Falls: A Wake-Up Call for Doctors’ Heart Health
— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) August 28, 2025
💔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
