Bee kills billionaire: UAE doctors warn of rare cardiac risks due to insect stings

Khaleej Times

12 hours ago

The sudden death of Indian billionaire and industrialist Sunjay Kapur, who is also the former husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, has captured global attention, especially among the medical fraternity, following reports that a bee sting may have triggered his fatal cardiac arrest.
53-year-old Kapur passed away on Thursday while participating in a polo match in England. According to initial reports, he is believed to have accidentally swallowed a bee during the game, which allegedly led to a heart attack.
When Khaleej Times reached out to doctors to understand more about the issue, medical experts in the UAE reacted to the news with concern, acknowledging that while such incidents are rare, the possibility of severe outcomes from insect stings, especially during physical exertion, cannot be dismissed.
Life-threatening complications
Dr Suma Malini Victor, Specialist Cardiologist at Prime Medical Centre, Burjuman Branch, explained, 'Accidentally swallowing a bee can, in rare cases, lead to life-threatening complications, including anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest, particularly in individuals with severe insect venom allergies. Even in those without known allergies, if the bee stings the airway, tongue, or throat, it can cause sudden airway swelling and obstruction. Some reports found that bee venom causes myocardial infarction with direct effect on the heart and coronary circulation.'
The incident has also reignited awareness around lesser-known conditions linked to allergic reactions from insect venom, which can strike unexpectedly.
Dr Saad Kamil Dlli, Specialist in Family Medicine at Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, added, 'Anaphylaxis from insect stings is relatively uncommon in the general population but affects about 5–10 per cent of individuals with known insect sting allergies. Regardless of allergy status, any sting in the airway is dangerous due to the risk of obstruction and is treated as a medical emergency.'
'In some cases, this can trigger a condition called Kounis syndrome, where an allergic reaction causes a spasm in the coronary arteries, potentially leading to a heart attack—even in individuals without prior heart disease,' added Dlli.
The exact circumstances of Kapur's death remain under investigation, but the potential involvement of a bee sting has prompted calls for greater public awareness and preparedness, especially for individuals with known allergies.
Dr Hesham Tayel, Interventional Cardiologist at International Modern Hospital, emphasised the importance of immediate medical response in such scenarios.
'The location of the sting plays a key role—stings inside the throat, tongue, oral cavity carry a much higher risk, even in people with no known allergy. Severe anxiety, low oxygen, or gasping can trigger abnormal heart rhythms or cardiac arrest, particularly in individuals with undiagnosed cardiovascular conditions. Anyone who has experienced a systemic allergic reaction should be referred to an allergist for allergy testing, possible venom immunotherapy to reduce risk of future episodes and people with known bee sting allergy should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen).'