Darshan Mehta, Mukesh Ambani's Aide, CEO Reliance Brands, Dies of Heart Attack At 64 – Causes of Cardiac Deaths In Men

Darshan Mehta, once close aide of Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani, ex MD and CEO of Reliance Brands, dies at 64, after suffering heart attack. Doctor explains why men above 60 are at higher risk of cardiac deaths.

Darshan Mehta Death News: Darshan Mehta, former managing director and founding CEO of Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), breathed his last on Wednesday. According to the medical reports, the 64-year-old died after suffering a fatal heart attack.

The Retailers Association of India, an apex body of the Indian retail industry, expressed condolences on X, saying that Mehta's vision "brought global icons to Indian shelves" and "his leadership shaping an entire industry". "His legacy will endure in every storefront and brand he helped bring to life."

Multiple media reports claimed that his death occurred while he was working out on a treadmill at Taj Hyderabad.

A qualified chartered accountant, Mehta had earlier held the position of President at Arvind Brands Ltd, a prominent Indian apparel retail company, before joining Reliance Industries.

As tributes pour in from across the country for Darshan Mehta -- the man who is often credited with transforming the luxury fashion and lifestyle space in India, his untimely death raises an urgent question: why are so many seemingly healthy men succumbing to sudden heart attacks?

TheHealthSite.com reached out to health experts to understand the causes behind the growing incidence of cardiac deaths in Indian men, and the key warning signs and risk factors that every man above 40 should watch out for.

Why Men Are At Higher Risk of Suffering Cardiac Deaths

As per the current data, India is currently grappling with an alarming rise in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially among men in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s. In this latest report, the Indian Heart Association has revealed that almost 50% of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under the age of 50, and 40.

"A heart attack, medically termed myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked often by a blood clot. This deprives the heart muscle of oxygen and can cause irreversible damage or even death if not treated immediately."

Some of the common signs associated with the condition include:

1. Pinching pain in the chest which can often make breathing an extremely difficult task
2. Chest tightness that often radiates to the arms or jaw
3. Difficulty in breathing
4. Excessive sweating
5. Nausea or vomiting
6. Lightheadedness or fainting

However, not all heart attacks present with dramatic symptoms. Silent heart attacks, which often occur without any warning, are especially common among men with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Major Causes of Cardiac Death in Men

With the death of Mehta, experts have cautioned everyone to be aware of the triggers that can cause cardiac deaths in men -

1. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
2. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
3. High Cholesterol Levels
4. Smoking: Tobacco damages blood vessels and reduces oxygen supply to the heart, significantly increasing the risk of cardiac events.
5. Obesity and Poor Diet: Diets rich in saturated fats, processed foods, and sugars contribute to plaque buildup and inflammation.
6. Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves controlling the heart.
7. Stress and Mental Health: Chronic stress releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which raise blood pressure and heart rate. It also contributes to unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or binge eating.

Unlike women, men often ignore or downplay symptoms such as mild chest discomfort or fatigue. The cultural tendency to "tough it out" may lead men to delay seeking medical help until it's too late. In many cases, the first symptom of heart disease is the heart attack itself.

Additionally, annual check-ups and preventive screenings are often skipped due to work pressures or lack of awareness, meaning high-risk conditions like hypertension or diabetes may go unnoticed for years.

Mehta, a qualified chartered accountant and cost and works accountant, started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Mumbai. He later advanced to a senior leadership position at Trikaya Grey Advertising, now a part of the WPP Group. Before joining Reliance, Mehta was the president of Arvind Brands Ltd. from 2001 to 2007. He also played a pivotal role in launching major international brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Gant and Nautica, to the Indian market.

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