Pune Doctor Dies During Himachal Trek: Experts Warn Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risks In Apparently Fit Individuals
Pune Doctor Dies During Himachal Trek: Experts Warn Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risks In Apparently Fit Individuals
Pune, June 13, 2025: A 42-year-old doctor from Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, tragically died during a trek in Himachal Pradesh, raising serious concerns about the increasing instances of sudden deaths in seemingly healthy individuals. Dr Nitin Abhivant, Head of the Psychiatry Department, was trekking with friends from Mumbai when he experienced severe breathlessness and collapsed. Despite immediate medical attention, he could not be revived.
Dr Niteen Abhivant, head of the Department of Psychiatry at B J Medical College (BJMC) Pune, tragically passed away during a trek in Himachal Pradesh earlier this week. The 42-year-old doctor, known for his contributions to mental health care and passion for trekking, reportedly collapsed during an expedition near Buran Ghati, around 150 km from Shimla.
According to BJMC officials, Dr Abhivant was part of a group trekking the Buran Ghati trail when the incident occurred on Monday. Despite the presence of medical professionals in the group, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. While the post-mortem report is awaited, doctors suspect a sudden cardiac arrest as the likely cause of death.
Dr Nishikant Thorat, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at BJMC, confirmed that the group had just begun their trek and were at the base level when Dr Abhivant collapsed. His final rites were held in Solapur on Wednesday morning.
Known for his academic excellence, leadership, and compassion toward patients, Dr Abhivant was widely respected in the medical community. “He constantly looked for innovative, cost-effective mental health solutions and was deeply empathetic towards his patients,” said Dr Praful Kapse, Head of Psychiatric Social Work at the Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health.
Dr Bhushan Chaudhari, a close friend and Professor at Dr D Y Patil Medical College, described him as “always smiling, helpful, and incredibly dedicated.”
An avid trekker who had completed several expeditions, Dr Abhivant’s sudden demise has left a void in both the academic and medical fraternity.
Doctors suspect the cause to be either sudden cardiac arrest or pulmonary embolism—both potentially fatal and often without prior symptoms.
Why do fit people collapse suddenly ?
Cardiologists explain that individuals with undetected arterial blockages or genetic heart conditions may remain asymptomatic until intense physical exertion, such as trekking, triggers a cardiovascular event. “People may have 50–60% blockage and not feel a thing until stress causes a rupture,” said an interventional cardiologist.
High altitudes, reduced oxygen, and cold temperatures can cause pulmonary edema, increasing the risk of arrhythmias and heart failure.
