Goutham Reddy, Minister of Information Technology, has died.

Mekapati Goutham Reddy (50), Minister of Industries and Information Technology in Andhra Pradesh, died of a cardiac arrest on Monday morning at his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad. His wife Srikeerthi, son Krishna Arjun Reddy, and daughter Sai Ananya survive him. 

Goutham Reddy’s last rites will be held with full State honours on Wednesday in his native town of Udayagiri in Nellore district, according to the State government. 

The untimely death of the young minister, who was a fitness freak and frequent gym goer, shocked the State’s political circles. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister, flew to Hyderabad to console Goutham Reddy’s family members.

Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu, Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao, and a slew of ministers, MPs, and MLAs from both Telugu states paid their respects to the late leader.  

On Monday, CM Jagan Mohan Reddy consoles Goutham Reddy’s family members. Goutham Reddy was the son of noted industrialist and YSRC leader Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, a former MP. In the 2014 elections, he ran on the YSRC ticket and won the Atmakur Assembly constituency. 

In 2019, he won a second term from the same constituency and was appointed to Jagan’s cabinet. Industries, Information Technology, Commerce, Skill Development and Training, and Textiles were among the five portfolios assigned to him. 

After a 10-day tour of Dubai, he returned to Hyderabad on Saturday night. To attract investments to the state, the AP Industries Department set up a stall at the Dubai Expo.

By signing five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with companies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Industries Department has attracted investments totaling more than Rs 5,000 crore. 

According to sources, the minister went to bed around 9.45 p.m. on Sunday after attending a family function in Hyderabad. 

He awoke at 6 a.m. on Monday, as usual, and spent some time on the phone with YSRC leaders until 6.30 a.m. Around 7 a.m.,

he became uneasy while sitting on a sofa on the second floor. Around 7.12 a.m., he instructed the cook to contact his driver, Nageswara Rao. Goutham Reddy collapsed on the sofa around 7.15 a.m., and when his wife Srikeerthi saw him,

she cried out for help. “I got to the second floor at 7.18 a.m. and pressed hard on his heart with my hands, and he seemed to recover,” Nageswara Rao said. 

Goutham Reddy requested water after two minutes, but he was unable to drink. Srikeerthi immediately summoned his personal staff. “Around 7.22 a.m.,

Goutham Reddy told his wife that he was experiencing chest pain, and the staff shifted him to Apollo Hospitals.” “We were at the hospital in minutes,” said the driver.

According to a medical bulletin issued by Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, Goutham Reddy arrived at the hospital emergency room at 7.45 a.m. 

“When we arrived, he was unresponsive, not breathing, and in cardiac arrest.”

In our emergency department, he received immediate CPR and advanced cardiac life support. “The emergency medical team and specialists, including cardiologists and critical care doctors,” the hospital said. Despite CPR for more than 90 minutes, doctors were unable to resuscitate Goutham Reddy, who was declared dead at 9:16 a.m. 

 

Increased heart-related issues as a result of COVID-19 

Goutham was diagnosed with COVID-19 in April of this year. In January 2022, he tested positive for the coronavirus once more.

Dr Shiv Kumar, senior cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, stated that he has seen an increase in heart-related issues in COVID-19 survivors.

“We are seeing an increase in heart attacks and strokes as a result of COVID-19.” It affects both men and women, both young and old. “

It affects people who have no risk factors for heart disease,” Dr Kumar explained. A heart attack is one of the many causes of cardiac arrest. 

“A heart attack can occur if a clot blocks the blood vessels in the heart.”

“It can cause a stroke if it blocks the brain vessels,”Dr Kumar explained. 

Dr Pramod Kumar Kuchulakanti, senior Interventional Cardiologist at Yashoda hospitals in Hyderabad, told TNM that the main causes of sudden cardiac deaths are a change in lifestyle, an increase in diabetes, blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and stress. Genetic factors could also play a role. 

When asked how to avoid these unfortunate incidents, Dr. Pramod stated, “The only way to avoid them is to perform preventive checks.” Everyone over the age of 25 should, in my opinion, have their blood sugar, cholesterol, Lp (a), and homocysteine levels tested. It is necessary to check one’s blood pressure. In high-risk individuals, a baseline ECG, 2D Echo, and treadmill test should be performed. Advanced tests, such as a CT Coronary Angiogram or a conventional Coronary Angiogram, should be performed when deemed necessary.” 

“Adequate medications for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and so on should be started.”

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and engaging in regular exercises such as jogging, walking, cycling, and swimming should be emphasised. Dietary changes and weight management are critical,” the doctor added.

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Published By: Pawan Rajput

Edited By: Mahi Gupta