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The Print
17 hours ago
- Health
- The Print
Bee sting-induced heart attack—what is the rare reaction that claimed industrialist Sunjay Kapur's life
As per available information, Kapur collapsed in the middle of the polo match soon after he reportedly swallowed a bee and had a sudden heart attack. Kapur, chairman and owner of auto part giant Sona Comstar was also known for his high-profile marriage to Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor. New Delhi: Indian industrialist and billionaire Sunjay Kapur, 53, died of a fatal heart attack in London following a freak accident—he swallowed a bee during a polo match on 12 June. The bizarre turn of events that led to the businessman's death before he could receive medical care left many puzzled, especially since just hours before, Kapur had posted on social media about life's unpredictability, reflecting on the tragic crash of a London-bound Air India flight near Ahmedabad. Cardiologists maintain that though rare, a bee sting in the mouth can trigger a storm of acute severe allergic reactions that can be lethal. There have been scientifically documented cases of heart attacks following bee stings in the mouth, which is particularly life-threatening, Dr Ashish Agarwal, Director of Cardiology with Aakash Healthcare told ThePrint. The is believed to involve an allergic reaction triggered by the sting, which leads to the release of certain chemicals in the body. 'As a result, vasospasm or narrowing of the arteries of the heart is induced and it leads to a heart attack through a series of dangerous but quick chemical reactions,' said Agarwal. Also read: Big pharma pivoting to more lucrative obesity segment, Indian drugmakers eye insulin market Cascade of severe chemical storm According to specialists, the mechanism behind this rare occurrence is believed to involve the most severe allergic reaction—called anaphylaxis—triggered by the sting and other allergies, which leads to the release of certain chemicals in the body. These chemicals include inflammatory mediators such as histamines and leukotrienes. Inflammatory mediators, while crucial for the body's defence, can become life threatening when their release is excessive or dysregulated due to overwhelmed systemic inflammation. According to Dr Prashant Pawar, cardiologist with Fortis Hiranandani Hospital in Mumbai, honeybees produce poison in their secretory glands, and envenomation (exposure to a poison or toxin resulting from a bite or sting from an animal) occurs during the sting or bee bite. These bees, when they bite, can cause allergic reactions such as breathlessness, a drop or rise in blood pressure, and heart rate in some people. 'Additionally, it can also cause angioedema, which is swelling of the face and respiratory tract, because of which the patient can't breathe, and it can also cause anaphylactic shock,' Pawar explained. Some other experts pointed out that a bee sting in the mouth is not only life-threatening due to airway compromise, but can also potentially induce a rare but lethal form of myocardial infarction (MI) called Kounis Syndrome or allergic MI. In common parlance, MI is known as a heart attack. This syndrome, explained Dr Dibya Ranjan Behera, interventional cardiologist with Manipal Hospital in Bhubaneswar, is a rare combination of anaphylaxis reaction and acute coronary syndrome. Bee venom entering the body, particularly through mucus membranes with a generous blood supply such as mouth, can provoke an extreme immune response. This, said the cardiologist, triggers mast cells (a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in immunity) to release inflammatory mediators, including histamines and leukotrienes, that can lead to coronary artery spasms or even plaque ruptures. A rupture exposes thrombogenic components such as cholesterol and other substances to the bloodstream, triggering a clotting cascade. In such conditions, there is a sudden drop in blood pressure, chest tightness, a severe inability to breathe, and the heart goes into a standstill, specialists say. This allergic tidal wave can lead to diminished blood flow to the heart or full-blown heart attack, even in people who have no previous underlying heart disease. This is categorised as Type I or Type II Kounis Syndrome in clinical practice, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Need for prompt emergency care In many cases of anaphylaxis, prompt identification and administration of a drug called adrenaline or epinephrine is urgently required, pointed out Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, head of critical care with SL Raheja Hospital in Mumbai. Sometimes combined treatment of the allergic and cardiac aspect is mandatory to avoid lethal consequences. Anaphylaxis is known to occur due to various other reasons like drug allergies, food allergies like peanut allergies, apart from stings and insect bites. Those with known allergies are therefore often advised to carry epinephrine auto-injector. Experts also caution people to avoid open beverages outside and to don protective gear when gardening or hiking. 'Once anaphylaxis is suspected, it is essential to reach the nearest hospital for emergency care in such cases, as the treatment may require oxygen, medications, and sometimes artificial ventilation,' said Saseedharan. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Exercise reduces risk of death from colon cancer, global study spanning 6 countries finds
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Sunjay Kapur dies of heart attack at 53: Can a bee sting cause heart attack? Experts answer
On a day when India grappled with the loss of over 200 lives in a tragic airplane crash in Ahmedabad, came another shocker: industrialist Sunjay Kapur died of a heart attack in the midst of a polo match in England. But here's a startling detail. He swallowed a bee, according to a media report. Now curious minds are asking if and how bees can cause heart attacks. Sunjay Kapur, former husband of actor Karisma Kapoor, led automotive technology firm Sona Comstar. The company said in its statement: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Sunjay J Kapur Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Sona Comstar, following a sudden heart attack in England, UK, on 12th June 2025, at the age of 53." The buzz around the bee narrative around Sunjay Kapur's cause of death spread after news agency ANI cited business consultant Suhel Seth as saying, "Sunjay died of a heart attack, apparently after swallowing a bee during a polo match in England". HT has not been able to independently verify this claim. However, social media is abuzz with questions about the possibility of a bee sting leading to a heart attack. "While a bee sting typically does not directly cause a heart attack, it can trigger severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, especially if the sting occurs in sensitive areas like the throat," Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, Senior Consultant - Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgeon, Gleneagles Hospitals, tells HT Health Shots. What is anaphylaxis? In layman terms, it is a likely life-threatening reaction to an allergen. If it is not treated with urgency, it can turn fatal. "This reaction happens when an over-release of chemicals puts the person into shock. Allergies to food, insect stings, medications and latex are most frequently associated with anaphylaxis," cites the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. According to Dr Pal, anaphylaxis can lead to symptoms like difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure, which may stress the heart and potentially contribute to a cardiac event in predisposed individuals. "However, the direct relationship between a bee sting in the throat and a heart attack remains complex and varies by individual health conditions." On X, Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, a senior cardiologist at KIMS Hospital in Bengaluru, cited Sunjay Kapur's death as a rare case of Kounis Syndrome - an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) triggered by an allergic reaction. "It is a severe allergic reaction leading to heart attack. Sunjay Kapur (reportedly) had a bee sting inside his throat when he swallowed it during a game of Polo, probably leading to myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest," Dr Krishnamurthy wrote. Asked by a social media user if this could happen even if a bee stings the outer part of the neck, the expert wrote, 'Not all bee stings lead to anaphylaxis. Only some people have a tendency. If someone has a tendency to develop anaphylaxis, it doesn't matter where on the body the bite happens.' One would think that a bee sting would typically just cause temporary pain, swelling and itching. But to know that it could even cause death in certain cases, has been a revelation to many people in the wake of Sunjay Kapur's sudden death. As per Clinical Case Reports Journal, the way bee venom may affect people can depend on the location and number of bee stings. If a person comes with a history of allergic reactions, a bee sting may spike the risk of serious life‐threatening side effects. The Journal further notes that Hymenoptera insects such as honey bees, wasps, ants, and hornets, are commonly involved in accidental stings of human beings globally. Dr Pal says, "A bee sting can cause various body reactions, ranging from mild localised pain and swelling to more severe systemic reactions. Mild reactions often include redness and itching at the sting site, while moderate reactions may involve hives and swelling beyond the sting area. The most severe reactions are anaphylactic shock, characterized by difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, rapid heart rate, and a significant drop in blood pressure, which can be life-threatening without prompt medical intervention." Resuscitation and hydration with vascular expansion solutions are mostly the initial steps of treatment for anyone who visits an emergency hospital room following a bee sting, notes Clinical Case Reports Journal. Morphine and acetaminophen are then used to control pain, while antihistamines and corticosteroids in high doses are used to prevent anaphylaxis.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
How bee stings can trigger heart attacks: Lessons from Sunjay Kapur's death
Industrialist and Sona Comstar Chairman Sunjay Kapur reportedly died of a heart attack after accidentally swallowing a bee during a polo match in London. While the details are still emerging, this rare but deadly chain of events has left many shocked—and curious about how something so small could cause such a severe reaction. What happens when a bee sting causes anaphylaxis Dr Tariq Rashid, Director and Head of Department of Cardiology, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, told Business Standard: 'Bee stings are typically harmless to many people, but they can have serious risks for those who are allergic. In rare but serious situations, bee stings can cause a reaction called anaphylaxis that can be deadly. This reaction occurs when chemicals, including histamine, are released rapidly into the body, resulting in widespread dilation of blood vessels, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and swelling, especially in the area around the airways. If the sting occurs in the mouth or throat—such as by swallowing a bee accidentally—the risk of airway obstruction and difficulty breathing significantly increases. This combination of lack of oxygen and increased strain on the cardiovascular system can lead to a heart attack or even cardiac arrest in extreme situations.' The science behind anaphylaxis and allergic collapse When a bee stings, it can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening immune response that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen, such as peanuts or bee venom. For some individuals, this may result in: Swelling of the throat or tongue Difficulty breathing A sudden drop in blood pressure Shock or cardiac arrest In some cases, especially when the sting affects the airway or windpipe, even non-allergic individuals can experience life-threatening swelling or spasms. Can a bee sting really cause a heart attack? Yes. Anaphylaxis can trigger Kounis Syndrome—a rare condition in which a severe allergic reaction causes spasms in the coronary arteries, leading to a heart attack. According to experts, this may explain the unfortunate chain of events in Sunjay Kapur's case. Triggers reported in medical literature include stings from ants, bees, wasps, and jellyfish, as well as exposures such as grass cutting, poison ivy, latex contact, limpet ingestion, millet allergy, shellfish consumption, and viper venom poisoning. What to do in a bee sting emergency 'Immediate medical intervention is crucial in such cases. Administering epinephrine (adrenaline) through an auto-injector like an EpiPen is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis, followed by emergency medical care. Quick action—recognising the signs, calling emergency services, and providing oxygen and CPR if needed—can make the difference between life and death. For individuals with known severe allergies, it's essential to carry emergency medication and inform those around them about how to use it,' said Dr Rashid. Steps to take during a severe allergic reaction If someone shows signs of a severe allergic reaction or collapses suddenly, every second counts. Here's what you should do: Call emergency services immediately Check for a pulse and breathing If unresponsive, begin CPR Use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if available Do not try to make the person vomit, even if they've ingested a bee or insect If the person is conscious and showing mild symptoms (such as swelling or difficulty breathing), try to keep them calm and seated upright while waiting for help. Can incidents like this be prevented? While this was an extremely rare and tragic event, certain precautions may help reduce risk: Wear a mouthguard or face covering during outdoor sports, especially in insect-prone areas Avoid drinking sweet beverages uncovered outdoors, as bees are attracted to sugary scents If you have a known allergy, always carry an EpiPen and ensure people around you know how to use it Sunjay Kapur's death is a heartbreaking reminder that medical emergencies can strike without warning. Recognising the signs of anaphylaxis and knowing how to respond quickly could save a life—even in the most unexpected circumstances.
