123 Kolkata: During a recent marathon in the city, a 26-year-old runner collapsed at the finish line. His heart stopped, his body turned pale, and there were no signs of life. A medical team revived him, administering CPR, ventilation and defibrillation in a race against time. Even as he survived and was discharged from the hospital two days later, the experience left deep scars. He battled post-traumatic stress disorder and short-term memory loss due to the lack of oxygen to his brain. Now he continues to heal, facing his trauma head-on and embracing his second chance at life.
The marathon enthusiast, the resident of north Kolkata, ran a 10-km marathon in 2022 and 2023 with ease, prompting him to attempt the 25km this Dec. "Unfortunately, on the day of the event, I was late in reaching the venue. After parking my car, I started running. I made it to the finish line, but after that, everything went blank. The next thing I remember is waking up on an emergency bed at Fortis Hospital, struggling with memory," recalled Abhay (name changed).
The medical team from the hospital, a health partner for the event, was called in. He was brought to the medical base camp. When the medical team received him, his skin was pale blue. The team initiated CPR, ventilator support, defibrillation (electric shock), and administered life-saving medications to revive his heart. After 20 minutes of tireless effort, the team successfully restored his heartbeat. It took another hour to stabilise him before transferring him to the hospital for further care and rehabilitation.
Sanjukta Dutta, consultant and emergency head at the hospital, said: "Statistics show that cardiac arrest survival rates during marathons are very rare in India. Bringing this runner back from the brink of death to life was no less than a miracle."
"This case is a stark reminder that cardiac emergencies can occur even in young, seemingly healthy individuals. Comprehensive health checks and consultations with medical professionals are crucial for those planning to take part in high-endurance events," said Shuvanan Ray, cardiology director at the hospital. "We urge everyone to prioritise their health, recognise their physical limits, and not wait for a crisis to act," said Ashish Mukerjee, facility director at Fortis, Anandapur.