Veteran actor Rituraj Singh breathed his last on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest. He was 59 years old. The actor, who has appeared in popular movies and TV shows and has worked in the entertainment industry for decades, had been hospitalized with a pancreatic disease but had returned to his home a few days earlier. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the risk of heart attack increases with age. Although men are more likely to have a heart attack than women, this risk is the same for both men and women after menopause. With age, several physical changes are observed in the heart and cardiovascular system, such as accumulation of fatty deposits, diabetes, and high blood pressure (Also Read | TV Actor Rituraj Singh Dies Due to Cardiac Arrest, Approved by Amit Behl)
What is cardiac arrest?
“Cardiac arrest is a sudden and unexpected loss of heart function. It occurs when the heart's electrical system malfunctions and the heart effectively stops beating. This occurs without immediate treatment. Failure to do so can lead to death,” said consultant Dr Srinivasa Prasad BV. Department of Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore.
The most common cause of cardiac arrest is coronary artery disease (CAD), which is narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. “Cardiac arrest can occur due to an acute heart attack or dangerous arrhythmia caused by blockages in the blood vessels that feed the heart muscle. The plaque buildup that causes these blockages is usually caused by smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, “Risk factors such as high cholesterol, obesity, or the presence of a strong family history of heart disease are to blame,” says Dr. Vivek Chaturvedi of the Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Adult Cardiology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
Can pancreatic disease increase the risk of cardiac arrest?
Experts say Rituraj Singh suffered from pancreatic problems, which may have increased his risk of cardiac arrest.
“Problems with the pancreas can increase your risk of death and heart attack more than twice as much as the general population. Pancreatic diseases such as pancreatitis can cause systemic inflammation and metabolic imbalances. Chronic pancreatitis increases the likelihood of atherosclerosis. Additionally, pancreatic cancer metastases can attack surrounding tissues, including the heart, leading to arrhythmia and myocardial dysfunction. In addition, certain drugs used to treat pancreatic diseases can affect the function of the heart, increasing the risk. Dr. Gajinder Kumar Goyal says:
Dr Sameer Gupta, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Group Director, Cardiac Catheterization Institute, and Director, Metro Group, Noida Hospital, spoke about the possible causes of cardiac death at the age of 50-60 years in an interview with HT Digital.
Possible causes of cardiac arrest in people over 50 years old
1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This causes the heart muscle to thicken abnormally, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. This can increase the chance of sudden cardiac death, especially if you engage in strenuous exercise.
2. Heart valve disease: Heart valve dysfunction refers to an abnormality in one or more heart valves. This increases the chance of arrhythmia and heart failure leading to sudden cardiac death.
3. Risk variables: A variety of factors can increase the likelihood of a cardiac event or sudden cardiac death, including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a family history of heart disease.
4. Coronary artery disease: When plaque builds up, the arteries that supply blood to the heart become constricted or clogged. This can result in a heart attack or unexpected cardiac death.
5. Arrhythmia: This is an irregular heartbeat in which the heart beats too fast (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), or stops beating altogether. Sudden death or cardiac arrest may occur due to severe arrhythmia.
6. Congenital problems: Some people may be born with congenital heart abnormalities, making them more likely to experience heart events in the future.
To monitor heart health and lower the risk of cardiac events, people in this age group should lead a healthy lifestyle, be aware of existing medical conditions, and have regular check-ups by their doctor. It won't.
