A Tragic end
Kannada actor Hemant (24) died on Wednesday morning at the M.S. Ramaiah Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital following a massive heart attack.
According to V.S. Prakash, cardiologist and hospital vice-president, the actor’s chain-smoking habit could have been an important factor for the blockages in his main artery. “He died of acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock with recurrent ventricular infibrillation,” the doctor said.
Expressing concern over heart diseases catching people young these days, Dr. Prakash said: “Mr. Hemant used to smoke about six packs of cigarettes a day. He came to our hospital around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, five to six hours after he had chest pain. An emergency angiogram showed that he had suffered a massive heart attack and his blood pressure had become very low. There were extensive clots in his main artery and he had recurrent ventricular infibrillation. We gave him multiple electric shocks before starting treatment.
“He was put on life support system. The clots were removed and stenting was done but the clots returned and he remained critical. He breathed his last on Wednesday morning. His is a case of absolute abuse of the body. It is most likely that he would have smoked and had alcohol till late the previous night,” the doctor added.
While some television channels claimed it was extensive gymming that caused the heart attack, the doctors said that no direct link could be established between the two. “He may have been working out, but it was smoking that proved disastrous,” said Dr. Prakash.
First and last film
Mr. Hemant’s debut was Nenapinangala, directed by Dhanuchandra Mavinakunte. The film released in March was also his last. It was produced by his father, Ramakrishna. He was not acting in any film at the time of his death.
His death came as a shock to the film fraternity, as he proved his talent in his debut film which ran for 25 days. Actor Sudeep condoled the death of Mr. Hemant on Twitter.