Male actors who are into bodybuilding must take good care of their heart: Imran Nazir Khan

MUMBAI: Actors and celebrities like comedian Raju Srivastav, South Indian actor Puneeth Rajkumar, Singer KK, Tv reality star Siddharth Shukla, Tv actor Deepesh Bhan and most recently, television actor Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi all died of heart attack in the last 12 to 16 months.

In addition to these celebs, hundreds of other lesser-known celebs or actors – all of them into aggressive bodybuilding, have died in gyms in the last two to three years.

While Raju Srivastav, Puneeth Rajkumar and Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi suffered heart attacks while working out in the gym, Singer KK and Siddharth Shukla also died due to exertion and blood pressure and heart-related problems.

According to Dr Pranav Kabra, cardiac specialist at the Raksha Multispeciality Hospital at Malad in suburban Mumbai, the incidence of heart attack in bodybuilders has increased nearly 25 per cent in the last 5 years, due to various reasons, including stress, air pollution, Covid and other factors.

“It is very important for actors and others who are into bodybuilding and heavy weight training to take care of their heart and blood pressure, or else it is definite that they would fall victim to a sudden and fatal heart attack,” warns Dr Kabra.

Tv actor Imran Nazir Khan who has featured in shows like Gathbandhan (Colors Hindi), Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga (Sab Tv), Mariam Khan Reporting Live (Star Plus), Hamari Bahu Silk (Zee Tv), Madam Sir (Sab Tv) has launched a digital campaign for heart awareness, particularly for male models and actors.

According to Imran, bodybuilders are in a mad rush to put on muscle that they do not listen to their heart, which is very dangerous.

For example, actor Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi had chest pain on the day he suffered a fatal heart attack. Both his workout partner and gym trainer told him to take it easy that day and rest, but Siddhaanth chose to do a bench press, which triggered the fatal heart attack.

Similarly, actor Deepesh Bhan who was suffering from high blood pressure, did not pay heed to the signals his body was sending him and suffered a brain stroke and hemorrhage.

Imran says it is always necessary to listen to the signals and signs that our heart emits. In case you have even a slight pain in your chest, cancel your gym session and immediately see a doctor.

“Get an ECG done as soon as possible and talk to a heart specialist,” Dr Kabra, who has saved hundreds of patients with heart disease suggests, adding that those who have blockages must go in for treatments like non invasive Enhanced External Counterpulsation therapy which helps the body build natural alternative bypass routes and vessels for the blood to flow to the heart.

According to the Centre for Wellness and Healthy Living, Rejuvenation Therapy not just helps the heart, but also helps one lose weight, reduces blood pressure (in case of high BP), helps human skin rejuvenate itself and addresses other problems like erectile dysfunction (in males) or weight loss in women.