Nithin Kamath has been a fit individual. But doctors pointed out that even someone with a lifestyle as his could have a stroke.
Published Feb 27, 2024 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 27, 2024 | 8:00 AM
Nitin Kamath recovering from stroke
Nithin Kamath, the founder of Zerodha, recently disclosed that he had a mild stroke six weeks ago.
Kamath attributed the condition to various potential factors such as stress, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration, and excessive exercise.
He is currently on the path to recovery, experiencing improvements in his facial droop and cognitive functions, with an expected full recovery timeline of three to six months, he said.
Doctors talked to South First about the complex interplay between lifestyle factors and health risks, such as stroke.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kamath shared on Monday, 26 Febraury, that the stroke happened “out of the blue”.
He added that the possible reasons for it could be his “dad passing away, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration”, or overworking.
Kamath added in the post, “I’ve gone from having a big droop in the face and not being able to read or write to having a slight droop but being able to read and write more. From being absent-minded to more present-minded. So, 3 to 6 months for full recovery [sic].”
He added that as part of the recovery process, he was using the treadmill to stay fit.
While Kamath wondered why a person who was fit and took care of himself could be affected, experts told South First what the Zerodha founder’s doctor had told him: “One needs to know when they need to shift the gears down a bit.”
In simple terms, a stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death.
A stroke is said to have occurred when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.
This can happen due to a blockage (ischaemic stroke) or the bursting or leaking of a blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke).
The sudden onset can cause symptoms such as trouble speaking, paralysis, or numbness on one side of the body, facial droop, delayed movement, and delusional.
Immediate medical treatment is crucial to minimise brain damage and potential complications.
Around 6 weeks ago, I had a mild stroke out of the blue. Dad passing away, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration, and overworking out —any of these could be possible reasons.
I’ve gone from having a big droop in the face and not being able to read or write to having a slight droop… pic.twitter.com/aQG4lHmFER
— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) February 26, 2024
Speaking to South First, Dr Guruprasad Hosurkar — the additional director of neurology at Fortis Hospital on Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru — said both stress and excessive exercise could contribute to the risk of stroke.
He said, “Chronic stress leads to a prolonged elevation of stress hormones like cortisol, which can damage blood vessels over time and increase blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke.”
Hosurkar added: “Additionally, stress can promote unhealthy habits like poor diet, lack of sleep, and smoking, which compound stroke risk.”
Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist from Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, cited a longitudinal study (2007-2021) conducted on 27,000 people from 32 countries belonging to various continents when speaking to South First.
He noted the significance of the study in assessing the relationship between self-reported stress and the risk of various types of stroke.
“It was found that increased stress at home and work — within the previous 12 months — also increased the risk of stroke by 95 percent (1.95 times) and 170 percent (2.7 times), respectively, as compared to no self-reported stress. Recent stressful events increased the risk of stroke by 1.3 times,” he said.
Elaborating on the study results, Sudhir said several mechanisms could explain the association between stress and stroke or cardiovascular risk.
“Acute stress may trigger an event by leading to activation of the sympathetic nervous system, causing vasoconstriction and plaque rupture in vulnerable individuals. Chronic stress may cause dysregulation of the sympathetic system, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis,” he explained.
He added that stress might indirectly increase stroke risk by fostering unhealthy behaviours.
Those who reported several periods of general stress or permanent general stress were likelier to be mainly sedentary, have a higher body mass index, and more frequent high levels of alcohol intake.
All of which could lead to diseases resulting from a bad lifestyle, he explained.
While Nithin Kamath alluded to non-stop exercise, he also wondered how a fit person could be a stroke patient.
Nitin Kamath in the gym (X post)
Doctors, however, argued that no-rest exercise or overdoing of exercises could indeed lead to a stroke.
Explaining further, Sudhir noted that research said the effect of exercise on mortality was U-shaped: There was an initia benefit, but there was a detrimental effect on health beyond a certain exercise limit.
He noted that this could lead to an increased mortality risk, and that it applied to stress as well.
He cites the example of Anil Kudsur, a cyclist who rode 100 km every day and died recently of cardiac arrest.
Guruprasad added that while regular physical activity was crucial for overall health and stroke prevention, sudden bursts of intense exertion could temporarily spike blood pressure.
“If there are any underlying cardiovascular issues or risk factors, this sudden increase can trigger a stroke, especially in the case of activities involving heavy lifting or straining. It’s important to listen to the body, stay hydrated, and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts,” he noted.
Doctors emphasised the connection between stress, inadequate sleep, and the risk of stroke.
“The body’s response to prolonged stress can lead to elevated blood pressure, a well-known risk factor for stroke,” they explained.
Moreover, poor sleep quality or deprivation could exacerbate this risk by hindering the body’s ability to regulate stress hormones effectively, they added.
Sudhir said sleep was essential not only for stress management but also for overall brain health.
“Sleep is a critical period for the brain to repair and regenerate. Disrupting this process can increase the likelihood of vascular problems, leading to strokes,” he noted.
Doctors urged individuals — especially those in high-stress occupations — to take proactive steps towards mitigating these risks.
