When 42-year-old Ranjan Das, SAP India’s high-achieving managing director, who was known for his fitness and healthy eating habits, collapsed suddenly on 21 October, reportedly after a workout on a treadmill, there was much shock and conjecture. Was he yet another victim of a burnout, over-exercise or of sleeping too little?
SAP spokespersons are unwilling to go into the cause of Das’ death, which was reported in different publications as “heart attack”, “stroke” and “massive cardiac arrest” (all three have different medical implications). If it was indeed a cardiac arrest, then cardiologists are unwilling to link what they term “a one in a lakh” phenomenon to work stress.
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Yet, across executive ranks, people are now asking themselves if being conscious of diet and regular exercise is really enough of a buffer against the inevitable stress of a high-pressure job. While there are no definitive answers, the way ahead is definitely linked to understanding what works for your body and what does not.
Treadmill or ‘tread kill’?
Photo: Raajan / Mint
One-third of all sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) outside homes and hospitals occur in fitness clubs or sports facilities, says Balbir Singh, consultant, interventional cardiology and electrophysiology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. Although most researchers downplay the risks of SCD during exercise—the American Heart Association pegs it at one in 100,000-200,000 cases—three deaths during the 18 October Boston marathon this year, the death of popular American basketball hero Randy Smith in Connecticut this June and, closer home, Das’ demise have highlighted the issue again.
Men are at higher risk of collapse during exertion than women, says Dr Balbir Singh. An October 2007 article published by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology in its newsletter pegs the risk for men at 1 SCD per 19 million hours of exertion.
Despite apparently low levels of risk, people such as Vishal Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Hospitals—who describes a CEO’s life in India as a “run-chase”—do guard against excessive exercise. “I do hit the treadmill and it helps me cope with stress. But obviously exercise also takes its toll on the body, so one has to do it in the right balance,” says the 41-year-old, adding, “When you do it under supervision, with a trainer, your protocol is set out for you. The regime varies according to your current health condition and current body parameters.”
Bali has hit the nail on the head. Body parameters do keep changing—a flu attack can weaken the heart muscles, making you a candidate for SCD. Which is why regular check-ups are a must.