Delhi NCR, 23rd December, 2025: Doctors at Paras Health, Delhi NCR, successfully treated a 58-year-old marathon runner employed in the private sector using North India’s first dual-chamber pacemaker implantation after he suffered multiple sudden collapses caused by a rare and undiagnosed cardiac electrical disorder. Despite being physically fit and having no known heart disease, the condition posed a serious, life-threatening risk.

The patient first collapsed nearly ten days before his admission to Paras Health, losing consciousness suddenly without any warning signs. He was taken to another hospital, where routine tests, including blood investigations, ECG, and Holter monitoring did not show any abnormalities. He was discharged after the tests came back normal.

However, the very next day after his discharge, the patient collapsed again at his workplace and once again lost consciousness without any prior symptoms. Following this second episode, he was rushed to Paras Health, Delhi NCR, where he was admitted on 21st October in an unconscious state. Given the repeated and unexplained nature of the collapses, the cardiology team suspected a problem with the heart’s electrical system rather than a blockage in the arteries.

An advanced Electrophysiology (EP) study was conducted, which revealed a serious abnormality in the heart’s conduction system—an issue that had not been detected through routine tests. The findings explained the patient’s sudden collapses and indicated an urgent need for pacemaker implantation.

Further evaluation revealed that the patient’s underlying rheumatoid arthritis had led to premature ageing of the heart’s electrical system. Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can accelerate degeneration of the cardiac conduction pathways, causing rhythm disturbances at a much earlier age than expected, even in individuals with excellent physical fitness and no traditional risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, or coronary artery disease.

The medical team proceeded with the implantation of an advanced dual-chamber pacemaker system, designed to coordinate the electrical activity between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. The procedure was completed using a minimally invasive approach in approximately 90 minutes, without the need for general anaesthesia.

The patient recovered well and was discharged within 48 hours. He is expected to gradually return to his active lifestyle under medical supervision.

“This case is a strong reminder that loss of consciousness, especially when sudden and unexplained, should never be ignored—even in people who appear extremely fit,” said Dr Amit Bhushan, Director – Cardiology, Paras Health, Delhi NCR.“Cardiac syncope is particularly dangerous because it occurs without warning. In this patient, an advanced EP study helped us uncover a serious conduction disorder that could have been fatal if left untreated. Timely diagnosis and the implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker restored normal heart rhythm and prevented further episodes.”

Doctors at Paras Health emphasised that unexplained fainting episodes can be an early sign of serious heart rhythm disorders and warrant specialised evaluation beyond routine cardiac tests. Early intervention can be life-saving.

Paras Health, Delhi NCR, continues to deliver comprehensive and advanced cardiac care, combining cutting-edge technology with clinical expertise to diagnose and manage complex heart rhythm disorders, even in patients with atypical presentations.