TV actor Vikas Sethi’s sudden death at the age of 48 has highlighted the importance of identifying underlying health issues that could lead to serious complications such as cardiac arrest. His wife, Jhanvi Sethi, revealed that he had been experiencing “vomiting and loose motions” before his death. Despite their attempts to have a doctor visit their home, he was found deceased when Jhanvi went to wake him around 6 a.m. on Sunday. The doctor confirmed that he had passed away in his sleep due to cardiac arrest.

This raises the question: is there a connection between digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea and heart health?

Cardiac arrest is a severe condition that can sometimes be fatal. Recognizing early warning signs is crucial. Dr. Anand Ram, a consultant interventional cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road, notes that prolonged symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea could be indicators of heart problems. These symptoms might not only signify gastrointestinal issues but could also reflect serious heart conditions. Dr. Ram added that such symptoms might be accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweat, fatigue, and loss of consciousness.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a consultant neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, explained that while chest pain is a classic symptom of a heart attack, it is not always present. In Vikas Sethi’s case, it is likely that the cardiac arrest was caused by a heart attack, which may have presented with symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—often mistaken for gastrointestinal issues.

When blood flow to the heart is abruptly interrupted, it triggers stress responses that can affect the digestive system, leading to symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. However, these symptoms could also indicate other serious health issues, including allergic reactions to medications, stress, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal problems, food poisoning, or peptic ulcers.

Dr. Kumar emphasized the need for suspicion of a heart attack in individuals with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or a history of smoking. An April 2016 review in the American Heart Association’s Circulation journal highlights the importance of recognizing gastrointestinal symptoms in heart failure, suggesting that these symptoms can be crucial for diagnosis.

To confirm a heart attack, an ECG and blood test are essential. Timely diagnosis and treatment are vital for saving lives.