S.M. Krishna displayed unwavering grit and resilience in the face of health adversities, recall doctors

Despite battling complications that required frequent hospitalisations, S.M. Krishna displayed extraordinary strength and an unyielding will to recover, recalled doctors who treated him. Mr. Krishna succumbed to cardiac arrest following age-related complications at 2.45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Despite battling complications that required frequent hospitalisations, S.M. Krishna displayed extraordinary strength and an unyielding will to recover, recalled doctors who treated him. Mr. Krishna succumbed to cardiac arrest following age-related complications at 2.45 a.m. on Tuesday (December 10, 2014).

Sources close to his family said he had suffered a stroke recently and his health took a turn for the worse following that.

His health complications began after he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia and pulmonary congestion that required hospitalisation in April this year. Due to severe lung infection, he required life support and prone ventilation. After being on a ventilator in the ICU of Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, for over a month, he underwent rehabilitation and was discharged from the hospital after over four months in August. Subsequently, he had several follow-up visits to the hospital.

Doctors from the hospital - Sunil Karanth, consultant and HOD, Critical Care Medicine, and Satyanarayana Mysore, consultant and HOD, Pulmonology and Lung Transplant Physician - who along with a multidisciplinary team attended to Mr. Krishna till his end, said his journey to recovery reflected his unwavering grit and resilience. 

“His journey through these health challenges reflects a deep inner courage and an unrelenting will to fight. His ability to overcome such obstacles, even at an advanced age, underscores his indomitable spirit. He was keen on completing his tasks such as involving himself in physiotherapy to eventually recover. On discharge in August, he cheerfully left the hospital and we continued medical support at his residence through our home care service,” said Dr. Mysore.

Recalling his ICU stay, Dr. Karanth said he took over six weeks to recover after being weaned off the ventilator. “This is kind of the normal course we would expect in many patients who are gradually taken off the ventilator,” the doctor said.

Dr. Karanth said except for cardiac issues (for which he had a pace-maker implanted previously), the former Chief Minister was quite fit for his age. “He lived a very disciplined life, punctual with his routine, exercising regularly. He was able to defy all odds, recovering time and again with steadfast resolve. He always strived to achieve the targets that we set during his rehabilitation and all this is due to his remarkable determination and mental strength,” said Dr. Karanth.