Healthy 35-year-old had a cardiac arrest after 3 hours of working out. Doctor explains why this is not a ‘rare freak accident’

Can a workout cause a heart attack? The unfortunate answer is yes; under certain circumstances, it absolutely can. Taking to X, an internal medicine specialist, Dr Priyam Bordoloi, shared a shocking anecdote of how a 35-year-old man worked out for three hours, non stop of months of inactivity. He discovered his muscles had become extremely swollen and painful. He ignored. Later, his urine turned dark. His wife suggested him to go to sleep. Later that night, he suffered a massive cardiac arrest. In a separate post, the doctor explained what had occurred.

The life-threatening condition responsible in such cases is often **rhabdomyolysis**, a serious medical emergency that develops when muscle tissue breaks down rapidly after extreme physical exertion. Although many people associate it with elite athletes or military training, doctors warn that it can affect anyone who pushes their body far beyond its current fitness level.



The process begins when intense exercise causes severe damage to muscle fibers that are not prepared for the workload. As these muscle cells rupture, they release large amounts of substances, including myoglobin and potassium, into the bloodstream. Myoglobin, a protein found inside muscle cells, is particularly harmful because it can accumulate in the kidneys and block their normal filtering function. One of the earliest warning signs of this complication is unusually dark or cola-colored urine, which may indicate that the kidneys are under significant stress.

At the same time, the excess potassium released from damaged muscles can become even more dangerous. Elevated potassium levels in the blood can interfere with the heart's electrical activity, potentially triggering life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms or even sudden cardiac arrest if treatment is delayed.

Dr Priyam stressed that rhabdomyolysis should not be viewed as an exceptionally rare event. According to the physician, it is a real risk for anyone who suddenly performs strenuous exercise without adequate conditioning or preparation. The condition is preventable in many cases, but only if people recognise their physical limits and increase workout intensity gradually.

To reduce the risk, fitness experts and doctors recommend progressing slowly with exercise routines rather than attempting overly intense sessions from the outset. Taking regular breaks, avoiding overexertion, especially in hot weather, and maintaining adequate hydration before, during, and after workouts can help protect the muscles and kidneys. Listening to the body's warning signs and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms such as severe muscle pain, weakness, swelling, or dark urine appear can be lifesaving.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdomyolysis is a serious medical condition in which damaged muscle tissue rapidly breaks down, causing muscle cells to die. As the muscle fibers deteriorate, they release substances such as myoglobin, electrolytes, and other cellular components into the bloodstream. These materials can be harmful when present in large amounts. Myoglobin, in particular, can accumulate in the kidneys and interfere with their ability to filter waste efficiently, potentially leading to acute kidney injury or even kidney failure if left untreated. Because of these risks, rhabdomyolysis is considered a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

What Are The Symptoms Of Rhabdomyolysis?

Symptoms include

Swelling of muscles

Weakening of muscles

Tender and sore muscles

Dark urine that is brown

Nausea or sickness

Loss of consciousness

Decreased urination.