The sudden death of cardiac surgeon Dr Gradlin Roy has reignited questions about the health risks doctors face

It was a cruel irony. In Chennai, cardiac surgeon Dr Gradlin Roy lost his life to a cardiac arrest, a man who had spent his career repairing hearts was betrayed by his own, and at a young age. This is not an isolated incident. In recent years, similar tragedies have shaken the medical fraternity. History carries parallels. The pioneering oncologist Dr Rengaswamy Sankaranarayanan from Kerala, who reshaped global cancer prevention strategies, succumbed to lung cancer after a three-year battle. That loss was attributed to fate. But in the case of young doctors dying of heart attacks, the threads mostly lead to preventable causes -- stress, overwork, and burnout.

The death of Dr Gradlin has reopened a difficult conversation about the hidden risks doctors themselves face. "Doctors dedicate their lives to patient care, but their own health -- especially cardiovascular well-being -- often takes a backseat," says Dr Mohammed Asif Shaik, senior consultant in Interventional Cardiology at Olive Hospital. He explains that young doctors, particularly those in their early years of practice, face a dangerous mix: relentless stress, sleepless nights, and long shifts that disrupt circadian rhythms and raise blood pressure. Meals are hurried, often unhealthy, and preventive check-ups are ironically neglected.