How much workout is safe for the heart? Top cardiologist explains as he warns about the risk of cardiac arrest due to too much gym time
A 35-year-old fitness enthusiast's sudden death in Himachal Pradesh has triggered widespread concern and debate about workout intensity and supplement use. Cardiologist Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy advises caution against jumping to conclusions, emphasizing the need for postmortem and toxicology reports to determine the cause. He highlights potential factors like underlying genetic conditions, substance use, and over-exercising as possible contributors.
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The pursuit of fitness has become a modern-day obsession—daily gym routines with hardcore workouts. But every now and then, a tragic incident shakes this seemingly health-centric lifestyle to its core. One such case recently emerged from Himachal Pradesh, where a 35-year-old man, known to be a fitness enthusiast, suddenly died of a heart attack. The news sparked a wave of shock and concern across social media platforms, reigniting debates around workout intensity , supplement use, and the silent threats that can lurk behind muscular physiques.Amid the growing speculation, renowned Bengaluru-based cardiologist Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy stepped in to offer a more measured perspective. Addressing the issue on X (formerly Twitter), he emphasised the importance of waiting for confirmed details, such as postmortem findings and toxicology reports, before drawing any conclusions. He pointed out that the sudden death could have stemmed from several possible causes, ranging from a heart attack or cardiac arrest to underlying genetic conditions like cardiomyopathy or channelopathy. He also raised the possibility of contributing factors such as steroid use, recreational drugs, smoking, or alcohol consumption.In response to a user asking whether intense workouts could be dangerous, Dr. Krishnamurthy acknowledged that over-exercising can indeed be a problem, potentially leading to cardiac arrest. As for protein shakes, another user's concern, he called it 'unlikely' unless the supplement was 'adulterated with something toxic.'Over the years, several well-known Indian entertainers have tragically died after collapsing during or shortly after workouts. Comedian Raju Srivastava passed away in 2022 after suffering chest pain at a gym. Salman Khan's body double, Sagar Pandey, also died mid-workout. Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, 46, suffered a fatal heart attack during exercise. Actors Deepesh Bhan and Abir Goswami, aged 41 and 38, respectively, also collapsed following morning workouts, highlighting rising health risks tied to intense training.
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India Today
41 minutes ago
- India Today
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It identifies predispositions to conditions like gluten sensitivity or slower caffeine metabolism, not through allergy markers but through genetic traits. According to market research firm IMARC, the Indian genetic testing market was valued at over $1.8 billion (Rs 15,400 crore) in as Dr Aparna Bhanushali, director, medical genetics, HaystackAnalytics, points out, 'While accuracy at the technical level—meaning the ability to detect genetic variants—is very high, the clinical interpretation of these variants in the context of nutrition is still an emerging area.' The predictive power of nutrigenomic insights can vary depending on the complexity of gene-nutrient interactions and the strength of scientific evidence backing them, she the way the body uses a nutrient through nutrigenomic testing is one part. The other half is using this information for better health. This is done not only by targeted nutrients but also by epigenetic medicine, which targets epigenetic mechanisms to modify gene expression and treat specific diseases. 'Nutrigenomics provides a personalised nutrition model grounded in molecular biology, epigenetics and clinical nutrition,' says Dr Bhanushali. 'For example, variations (also known as polymorphisms) in the FTO gene (a fat mass and obesity-associated gene) are associated with increased obesity risk, while variants in the MTHFR (Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase) gene can impair folate (a nutrient in Vitamin B complex essential to the body) metabolism, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and neural tube defects.'advertisementAccording to market research firm Grand View Research, the Indian epigenetics market generated a revenue of $479.8 million (Rs 4,150 crore) in 2023. Health tech startup Vieroots, which raised $136,000 (Rs 1.16 crore) in funding this year and is valued at Rs 106 crore, says it provides an EPLIMO (epigenetic lifestyle modification) programme based on a geno-metabolic assessment. EPLIMO can detect multiple genetic variants causing over 250 diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, depression etc. years or decades before they set in, enabling users to change their lifestyles. 'Over 10,000 people have tried EPLIMO. We have seen amazing improvements in their health markers after three months, when we do a blood work. This proves that biohacking is measurable,' says Sajeev Nair, founder and chairman, Vieroots. Nair follows a 'Sajeev diet' plan. 'Once I started following this hyperpersonalised diet plan, I started seeing great results including a stable gut, higher energy levels, proper digestion and better cognitive functions,' says of nutritionAccording to experts, relying on the right facts while eating what works for the body is where the future of nutrition lies. 'I see precision nutrition as a step forward,' says Dr Suparna Mukherjee, chief nutritionist at Narayana Health City in Bengaluru. 'We look into an individual's anthropometry (measurement of the physical properties of a body), biochemical markers, clinical symptoms, dietary habits and their genetic reports. We also consider their activity levels and calorie expenditure, which helps us personalise a food plan,' says Dr Mukherjee. It's all about why certain foods work better for individuals based on their unique genetic and lifestyle profiles, she right diagnostic tools can uncover details that make a difference. When 38-year-old Rohit, a fitness enthusiast, went for a genomic health assessment at Haystack Analytics in Bengaluru, he wasn't expecting to uncover anything major. The results changed his approach to health. The test flagged a heightened genetic risk for Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the weight loss programmes have become accessible too. When Sahil Malhotra, 41, a software engineer from Bengaluru, wanted to lose 10 kg, he opted for a personalised diet programme by a city clinic which, after procuring his genetic profile through MapMyGenome, was able to tell him why—despite trying multiple diet plans—he was unable to shed weight. 'They found out that I could not digest protein too well, which is why high-protein diets failed as they left less calories for daily requirements, making me constantly hungry,' he says. The results made sense, as his family was originally vegetarian. 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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Menopause is not just hot flashes—it's a full-body reboot nobody talks about
Menopause refers to the stage of women's life which marks the end of her reproductive cycle and is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without mensuration. While being a natural biological transition, the timing of its onset is influenced by a variety of factors such as genetics, lifestyle, nutrition, environmental exposure and socio-economic conditions. According to studies, Indian women tend to reach menopause nearly five years earlier than women in many Western countries. While the global average age is around 51 years, Indian women typically experience it around the age of 46 or 47. A major reason for this could be nutritional deficiencies particularly among women from low-income and rural backgrounds. Chronic undernutrition and lack of micronutrients like iron, calcium, and Vitamin D are known to impact hormonal balance and accelerate ovarian aging. Hitting menopause early carries significant implications on women's health. Though inevitable, menopause is surrounded by silence. It is spoken of only in the form of jokes regarding hot flashes or referrals to "the change." Yet, menopause involves deep physical, emotional, and social transformation that have the potential to significantly affect a woman's quality of life. Like other issues of reproductive health, heightened awareness and early treatment are necessary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Try This Homemade Bariatric Drink to Burn Belly Fat While You Sleep Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo Talking about menopause in a holistic way can also serve to break down gendered health inequalities. As with infertility, where women get the blame and stigma—menopausal women are usually misunderstood, disregarded, or medically ignored. These are gendered trends that reinforce inequality, lower dignity, and undermine long-term health. Understanding the unspoken side of menopause For many, menopause conjures up feelings of embarrassment, hot flushes, mood swings and sleep disturbance. It is something uncomfortable, private, and seen as a "women's issue". There is societal stigma and taboos associated with menopause that affect a woman's ability to openly talk about it, seek information and healthcare services. This lack of openness doesn't just affect personal spaces, it extends into professional settings as well. Even in urban workspaces, it is not seen or recognised as a workplace issue. Even now, a recognition that menopause is a diversity and inclusion, and a business issue has not sunk in. Research has shown women experiencing perimenopause and menopause-related symptoms have often been misdiagnosed as suffering from mental ill-health or other conditions, and have also at times been misjudged as having attitude issues, lower engagement at work, lowered aspirations etc. This in turn has led to t heir lower motivation with higher intention to quit their job when wrongly assessed. Although few women change with hardly any symptoms, most suffer life-affecting ramifications that extend past unpredictable cycles. Typical but underdiagnosed symptoms are: Mood Disturbance: Irritability, depression, and anxiety caused by hormonal changes. Cognitive impairment: Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, and "foggy" mind. Sexual function problems: Vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and decreased libido. Metabolic alterations: Weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and elevated cholesterol. Bone and cardiovascular health risks: Estrogen deficiency accelerates the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The physiology of menopause: What's actually happening to the body At the core of menopause is a natural decline in ovarian function. The ovaries slowly decrease production of estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that cycle the menstrual cycle and underpin many other bodily systems. The hormonal transition derails the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which regulates reproductive function. The loss of estrogen specifically has far-reaching consequences: Thermoregulation: Estrogen is crucial in the regulation of temperature. Its decrease impacts the hypothalamus, resulting in hot flashes and night sweats. Vaginal tissue: Decreased estrogen leads to thinning, dryness, and reduced elasticity of the vaginal lining, causing pain and discomfort during intercourse. Declining estrogen levels during menopause can lead to reduced bladder tone and contribute to urinary incontinence. Estrogen helps maintain the health of the lining of the bladder. Bone metabolism: Estrogen retains bone density by regulating osteoblast (bone-forming) and osteoclast (bone-resorbing) activity. Its deficiency hastens bone loss, making osteoporosis more likely. Cardiovascular system: Healthy cholesterol and blood vessel elasticity are supported by estrogen. Post-menopausal women have increased risks of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Neurotransmitters: Estrogen affects serotonin and dopamine—neurochemicals of mood and cognition. Deficiencies in these can result in emotional instability and memory problems. Appreciation of these physiological shifts emphasizes the value of hormone surveillance, nutrition counselling, and preventive health tests in women in midlife. Modalities such as bone density scans, lipid panels, and psychiatric evaluations need to become routine during and after menopause. Menopause requires a holistic, proactive management approach. One of the most common treatments for menopause-related symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT supplements the body with estrogen, either alone or in combination with progesterone, and helps to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Studies also suggest that early use of HRT can reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, as well as offer potential cardiovascular benefits. For women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life, HRT can offer substantial improvements in well-being and daily functioning. There are two main types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT): estrogen therapy and combination therapy. Estrogen therapy involves taking estrogen alone, which is typically prescribed in a low dose and can be administered through various forms such as pills, patches, gels, vaginal rings, creams, or sprays. This option is usually recommended for women who have had a hysterectomy. On the other hand, combination therapy, also known as estrogen-progesterone therapy (EPT), includes both estrogen and progesterone (or a progestin) and is necessary for women who still have a uterus, as progestins help reduce the risk of uterine cancer. Combination therapy is available in pills, patches, and sometimes in IUDs. Your healthcare provider will recommend the best option based on your symptoms and medical history. Addressing the often-overlooked struggles of menstruation, reproduction, and menopause calls for a multi-pronged approach. Normalizing menopause through sustained media content — including expert voices and real stories — can drive awareness, tackle stigma, and reach women beyond just those nearing midlife. Preventive care must replace reactive treatment. Healthcare providers should initiate early conversations on hormonal health and well-being from the mid-30s, helping women prepare for this life stage. Workplaces, too, must integrate menopause into DEI and wellness policies, with flexible work options, sensitized leadership, telehealth access, and insurance support as key enablers. Dr Surbhi Singh, Cosmetic Gynaecologist, Beau Monde clinic, GK 1 One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
The 20s skin crisis no one talks about—and how to outsmart it
While the idea of aging skin is usually associated with people in their 40s or beyond, the first signs of skin aging can appear much earlier—often as early as the twenties. For Indian skin, this process tends to occur even faster. According to a study titled "Aging and the Indian Face: An Analytical Study of Aging in the Asian Indian Face," Indian skin tends to age about ten years earlier than other skin types. The unique structure and melanin composition of Indian skin, combined with external environmental aggressors, may make it especially susceptible to early signs of aging. The early signs of pre-aging in Indian skin In your twenties, the signs of skin aging might not be dramatic, but they are subtly present. These include the appearance of fine lines near the eyes or mouth, dullness in complexion, and uneven skin tone. Some people may notice a rough texture or an increase in pore size. Others might experience dark spots that linger after acne or sun exposure. While these changes might seem minor, they are often the first signs of underlying skin stress that, if left unaddressed, can evolve into more pronounced aging concerns over time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We cannot lose another baby to the same disease, help us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo What drives early aging in the skin? The causes of early skin aging are both internal and external. Genetics and skin type play a crucial role in contributing to the signs of aging of skin. , However, lifestyle factors play an even more significant role. Chronic sleep deprivation, exposure to pollutants, excessive screen time, and emotional stress contribute to oxidative stress in the skin. This stress triggers the breakdown of collagen and elastin—the two structural proteins that give skin its firmness and elasticity. Air pollution is another serious concern in many Indian cities. The skin, being the outermost barrier, constantly battles pollutants that trigger inflammation and free radical damage. Over time, this results in loss of skin resilience and radiance. Additionally, a diet lacking in antioxidants, vitamins, and hydration only accelerates this process, depriving the skin of the building blocks it needs to repair itself. UV rays and the acceleration of skin aging Among the external factors, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays remains one of the most damaging. UV radiation is responsible for what dermatologists call 'photoaging'—a form of premature aging that manifests through pigmentation, fine lines, and uneven texture. UV rays penetrate deep into the skin layers, breaking down collagen and causing DNA damage in skin cells. For Indian skin tones, which are more prone to hyperpigmentation, sun exposure poses an even greater challenge. The melanin in the skin responds to UV exposure by producing more pigment, which can result in dark patches, especially around the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. Preventing the first signs of aging The good news is that early skin aging is not only identifiable but also largely preventable with the right skincare practices. Protection from UV radiation should be non-negotiable, even if one spends most of the day indoors. A broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays should be used daily, regardless of the weather. UV rays can penetrate windows and cloud cover, making it essential to wear sunscreen even when not directly in the sun. Hydration plays an equally important role. Skin that lacks moisture becomes more prone to fine lines and appears dull and fatigued. Using a hydrating cleanser and a daily moisturizer suited for your skin type can help maintain the skin's barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss. Understanding the role of retinol for beginners Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is one of the most researched and effective ingredients for treating early signs of aging. For those in their twenties, it can be a valuable addition to a nighttime skincare routine. Retinol works by increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen production, helping to smooth out fine lines and improve skin texture over time. However, beginners often experience irritation, dryness, or redness when they first start using retinol. This is where encapsulation technology comes into play. Encapsulated retinol delivers the active ingredient slowly into the skin, minimizing irritation while maintaining efficacy. This makes it ideal for people who are just beginning their journey with anti-aging skincare. The crucial role of consistent sun protection and hydration No matter what activities or ingredients are used, the skin's longevity and youthfulness depend heavily on two pillars: sun protection and hydration. . A broad-spectrum photostable Sunscreen shields the skin from cumulative UV damage, while proper hydration ensures that the skin barrier remains intact and resilient. Inadequate moisture can weaken this barrier, making the skin more vulnerable to environmental stressors. Ultimately, taking care of your skin in your twenties is less about correcting damage and more about preserving what you already have. A preventative approach, supported by knowledge and consistency, lays the foundation for healthy, radiant skin that can age gracefully over time. Dr. Prasoon Soni, Professor, Skin & VD at S.P. Medical College, Bikaner One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
