Rakesh Roshan Health Scare: A Wake-Up Call For Everyone Over 45

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

If you’ve grown up watching Hrithik Roshan on screen, chances are you’ve admired the legacy of his father too — veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan. Last week, the 74-year-old quietly underwent an angioplasty after doctors discovered a 75% blockage in his carotid arteries — the blood vessels that carry oxygen to your brain. While the surgery went smoothly, the news struck a personal chord with many, including me.

Because this isn’t just a Bollywood story. It’s a wake-up call. A gentle but urgent reminder for anyone above 45 to check in on their health before it checks out on them.

What Actually Happened

According to reports from Hindustan Times, Livemint, and The Hindu, Rakesh Roshan underwent a preventive carotid angioplasty. Doctors found that his carotid arteries — two crucial vessels on either side of the neck that supply blood to the brain — were 75% blocked. Thankfully, it was caught early. He didn’t suffer a stroke, but the risk was dangerously high.

And that’s what makes this story so important.

Roshan himself took to Instagram, smiling with his family, and left behind a strong message: “Prevention is always better than cure.”

Okay, But What Are Carotid Arteries?

Let me break it down. Think of your carotid arteries like two express highways that send blood from your heart straight to your brain. Over time, due to cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or even smoking, plaque starts to build up like traffic. This can narrow the road and restrict flow — and if a piece breaks off, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Scary part? There are often no symptoms until it’s too late.

What Is a Carotid Angioplasty?

It’s a medical procedure where doctors insert a thin balloon into the blocked artery and expand it to push the plaque aside. Then, they place a stent (a tiny wire mesh tube) to keep it open and ensure smooth blood flow.

Rakesh Roshan’s decision to do this before any stroke symptoms showed up might have saved his life.

Are You at Risk?

If you’re:

Over 45
Have high blood pressure
Diabetic
Smoke (or used to)
Have a family history of stroke or heart disease

…then this concerns you too.

Silent Symptoms to Watch Out For

Sometimes, the body gives us tiny warnings called TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attacks) or mini-strokes:

Sudden numbness on one side
Trouble speaking or understanding speech
Blurry vision or loss of balance

Even if it lasts for a minute or two, don’t ignore it. It could be the first and only warning you get.

So What Should You Do?

Get a Carotid Doppler Test. It’s non-invasive, painless, and takes 15-30 minutes. Just like an ultrasound of the neck. If there’s a blockage, your doctor will guide you on next steps.

Don’t wait for chest pain or a scary hospital run. Roshan didn’t. And neither should we.

Final Thoughts (From Me to You)

When I read about this, I immediately thought of my parents, my uncles, a few older friends. I sent them this exact message: “Please get this checked. Don’t wait for symptoms.”

If you’re reading this, maybe you can be that person in someone’s life too. A simple nudge could literally save a life.

Much love, stay safe, and let’s start taking preventive health a little more seriously — not just when a celebrity makes headlines, but every single day.