Raju Srivasta loses battle for life, dies over 40 days after suffering heart attack

Raju Srivastava died on Wednesday morning over 40 days after he suffered a heart attack while he was working out on a treadmill.
raju srivastava death
Comedian Raju Srivastava passed away on Wednesday morning over 40 days after a heart attack. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Radhika Bhirani Updated: 21 Sep 2022, 13:58 pm IST
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India’s star comedian Raju Srivastava, who made people laugh for decades, left family members, friends and fans teary-eyed as he died after a prolonged battle for life. The 58-year-old had suffered a heart attack on August 10, 2022, during a workout session. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was being treated for over 40 days before he breathed his last on Wednesday morning. Raju Srivastava’s death comes just days before World Heart Day, and his demise has sparked more interest in a likely link between workout and heart attack.

Known for his iconic portrayal as Gajodar bhaiya, Raju Srivastava had been entertaining audiences since the 1980s. He garnered more limelight when he participated in stand-up comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. He also featured in some movies, apart from having a political stint. From political leaders to the who’s who in the entertainment world – condolence messages flooded social media as soon as the news of Raju Srivastava’s death emerged.

In recent times, the incidence of heart attack cases have increased due to multiple causes. Even in the celebrity universe, we’ve seen more cases related to heart ailments in recent times.

Raju Srivastava
Raju Srivastava was an enterainer par excellence. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

It was not too long ago that Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar succumbed to a heart condition reportedly after a gym session. Even TV actor Siddharth Shukla’s sudden demise at the age of 40 had raised concerns around over-exercising. There was singer KK who bid a shocking ‘alvida’ after suffering a cardiac arrest following a power-packed show. These may just be few recent celebrity examples, but if you follow news headlines, you will know that many youngsters have been falling prey to heart dysfunction in gyms.

Why are heart attack cases rising?

Dr.(Col) Monik Mehta, Chief of Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram, tells Health Shots, “There is an increasing incidence of young people and adults suffering from comorbidities like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and bad lifestyles and habits such as smoking and sedentary life. Such people, and those doing high-intensity workouts, are especially vulnerable to getting post-workout heart attacks.”

Those who may have a history of heart ailments or it runs in the family, are also more susceptible to these issues, adds the doctor.

According to a 2019 study published online on the National Library of Medicine, regular exercise is recommended to improve the cardiovascular risk profile of patients. However, extreme amount and intensity of long-term exertion may increase the risk of acute cardiac events.

How to keep heart healthy
Prevent heart problems with the right lifestyle. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

How to reduce risk of heart attack

Considering the rising number of heart attack cases, people need to be more vigilant about their dietary and lifestyle habits. Make healthy changes to reduce the risk as far as possible.

1. Eat a heart-friendly diet

First of all, eat the amount of food you need, not what your taste buds desire. A cheat meal is welcome once in a while, but it can’t be your diet! When it comes to a heart-friendly diet, choose foods which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, go for whole grains, add more fruits and veggies to your plate, give saturated fat (which can lead to bad cholesterol) a miss, and if you ought to have dairy products, go for the low-fat variety.

2. Exercise, but know your limits

There is no denying that regular exercise is one of the most vital building blocks of good health. But over-exercising may not be the smartest thing to do. As per the American Heart Association, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise can be helpful to maintain overall health. Extreme exercise training can, however, put a person at a risk of heart-related complications and rhythm disorders.

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Overexercising
Over-exercising doesn’t have benefits. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Watch your weight

Obesity is the root cause of conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep disorders, asthma, and more, which can lead to heart ailments. If you are overweight, it can lead to fatty material buildup in your arteries, which are the route for blood vessels to transport blood to your organs. Now if that route is jammed, it can lead to a heart attack.

4. Sleep well

Your body needs its time to rest. Getting sound sleep is essential to recharge your battery for another day. But if you try to keep pushing the body on a low charge, one day it will give up. So, ensure that you get at least 6-7 hours of uninterrupted sleep daily.

5. Reduce stress

As per a group of Harvard University researchers, stress could be a risk factor as high as smoking or high blood pressure, notes the British Heart Foundation. A study found that constant stress can lead to increased activity in a certain part of the brain linked to processing emotions. This has been associated with a higher risk of heart diseases. So, reduce stress and improve your emotional health for your heart’s sake, please!

Stress affects heart
Stress needs to be managed better before it shows adverse effects. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

6. Correct lifestyle habits

Smoking and drinking regularly can hamper heart health. If you can’t give them up completely, at least reduce the frequency and amount of intake.

7. Get regular health screenings

Yes, this is a must. We often tend to ignore subtle signs and symptoms of health issues. But if we ensure going for regular health screenings, doctors can assess risks and manage the conditions before they get out of hand.

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About the Author

Radhika Bhirani is a journalist with close to 15 years of experience in the Indian media industry. After writing extensively on health, lifestyle and entertainment, she leads the English content team at Health Shots. She has a special interest in writing on mental health and wellness. ...Read More

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