Jagbir Singh suffers massive heart attack, in ICU

Jagbir suffers massive heart attack, in ICU

Former India coach and double-Olympian Jagbir Singh on Friday suffered a massive heart attack and was rushed to the hospital, where he was given CPR and operated upon.

Jagbir, who is currently with Team Gonasika here for the Hockey India League, complained of chest congestion during the team’s training session on Friday afternoon and was immediately taken to Apollo Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a completely blocked artery. The doctors operated and inserted a stent to open it up but Jagbir suffered a massive cardiac arrest during the procedure, sources in the know said.

He had to be revived through cardiopulmonary resuscitation but was reportedly unresponsive for approximately 10-15 minutes before recovering. He is still in ICU and on a ventilator with doctors admitting that the next 8-10 hours would be critical to assess the exact condition.

“He is showing improvement but not out of danger yet. The period when he was unresponsive is the biggest concern at the moment since the doctors are trying to assess if the lack of oxygen for those minutes affected any internal organs. The good thing is the kidneys are responsive now and he tried to breathe normally also but the doctors do not want to take any risk,” a senior Hockey India official, present at the hospital, told The Hindu.

The 59-year old Jagbir was part of two medal-winning Asian Games contingent (1986 and 1990) and two Olympics (1988 and 1992). He also coached the Indian men’s team briefly and is well-known as a media columnist and expert. His wife and daughter are on their way to Rourkela.

“We are all hoping he recovers soon. But, god forbid if things do not get better, we will have all necessary arrangements ready to airlift him to Delhi or elsewhere with advanced facilities. There will be nothing left to chance,” HI insisted.