How Bee Sting could Trigger Fatal Heart Attack in Industrialist Sunjay Kapur; Experts Explain 

Experts explain the rare and deadly allergic reaction called anaphylaxis

In a shocking and tragic incident, Sunjay Kapur, the 53-year-old Indian industrialist and chairman of Sona Comstar, died of a sudden heart attack in London on June 12 after reportedly swallowing a bee during a polo match. The freak accident left many stunned, especially given Kapur’s earlier social media post that same day reflecting on the unpredictability of life.

What Happened?

Kapur was in the middle of a polo match when he suddenly collapsed on the field. Initial reports suggest he accidentally swallowed a bee, which may have stung him inside his mouth or throat, triggering a severe allergic reaction that rapidly escalated into cardiac arrest. Despite emergency efforts, he passed away before he could receive proper medical intervention.

Can a Bee Sting Really Cause a Heart Attack?

Doctors confirm that while most people experience only mild symptoms from a bee sting like localized pain, swelling, and redness, a small percentage suffer from anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect the entire body.

According to the National Institutes of Health, anaphylaxis:

• Can begin with skin rashes, itching, or swelling
• Escalates rapidly to breathing difficulty, throat tightening, and a sudden drop in blood pressure
• Can trigger cardiac arrest if not treated immediately with epinephrine (adrenaline)

Bee stings inside the mouth or throat are particularly dangerous as the swelling can block airways quickly. Experts note that anaphylaxis is often unpredictable and can occur even without a known history of allergies.

Cardiologists and allergists emphasize that anaphylactic shock, whether due to bee venom, food allergies, or medication must be treated as a medical emergency. The use of an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) can be life-saving when administered promptly.

In Kapur’s case, the combination of the location of the sting, lack of immediate intervention, and severity of the allergic response likely led to the fatal outcome.

A Tragic Irony

Just hours before his death, Kapur had posted on social media about the tragic crash of a London-bound Air India flight, musing on life’s fragile nature. The irony of his own sudden demise soon after has deepened the emotional impact of the tragedy.