Actor Aasif Khan, known for his performances in Pataal Lok and Panchayat, recently suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. The incident occurred two days ago, sending a wave of concern among his fans and industry peers. Fortunately, his condition is now stable.

According to hospital sources, Aasif is recovering well and is likely to be discharged in a couple of days.

The actor took to his Instagram stories to share an update, along with a photo from his hospital bed. In a deeply reflective note, he wrote:

“Life is short, don’t take one day for granted. Everything can change in a moment. Be grateful for all you have and all that you are… Life is a gift and we are blessed.”

Recovering From Attack

In a brief statement to India Today, Aasif confirmed he had been dealing with a health issue that required hospitalization.

“I’m grateful to share that I’m now on the road to recovery and feeling much better,” he said. “I truly appreciate all the love, concern, and well-wishes. Your support means the world to me. I’ll be back very soon.”

His update comes as a reminder of how sudden and serious heart-related conditions can be—even among young and seemingly healthy individuals.

How Do Heart Attacks Happen?

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a clot, causing damage to the heart muscle. It’s often linked to lifestyle factors like high cholesterol, smoking, stress, and lack of exercise—but can also strike unexpectedly.

While heart attacks are more common in those over 50, studies show a rising number of younger adults are now at risk. According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, one in five heart attack patients in the U.S. was under the age of 40.

In India, the numbers are more alarming. The Indian Heart Association notes that 50% of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under the age of 50, and 25% occur under the age of 40. Factors like sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and high stress contribute significantly.

Signs to Watch For

Aasif’s case highlights the importance of recognizing the early symptoms of a heart attack, which can include:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Pain in the left arm, jaw, or upper back
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat or nausea
• Unusual fatigue or lightheadedness

If any of these symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is essential. Early intervention can save lives.

For now, Aasif Khan’s fans and colleagues continue to send him strength and support. And as he put it, he’ll be “back very soon”—with renewed gratitude and, hopefully, greater awareness for all.

Veteran actor and producer Dheeraj Kumar, best known for his contributions to Hindi and Punjabi cinema, passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday, July 15. He was 79.

Admitted with Pneumonia, Succumbed to Organ Failure

According to sources close to the family, Kumar had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after being diagnosed with acute pneumonia. His health took a critical turn on Monday as he suffered multiple organ failure and was subsequently placed on ventilator support. He breathed his last around 11 AM on Tuesday, with his son by his side in his final moments.

A Career That Began With a Talent Contest

Dheeraj Kumar’s journey into the world of entertainment began in the mid-1960s, when he participated in a talent contest that also featured Rajesh Khanna and Subhash Ghai. In a 2012 interview with The Hindu, Kumar recalled:

“In a talent contest in Mumbai in the 1960s, three were selected to be actors among some 10,000 aspirants — Rajesh Khanna, myself and Subhash Ghai... He became a superstar.”

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Kumar went on to act in several films, including Rakhwala, Tyaag and Sargam, and shared screen space with many leading actors of the time. Over the years, he transitioned into television production and was known for creating popular shows such as Om Namah Shivay and Shree Ganesh. His last known collaboration with Rajesh Khanna was a TV series in 2019.

Understanding Pneumonia and Its Risks

As per the American Lung Association, pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli) of one or both lungs. These air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening. Acute pneumonia, in particular, can cause sudden and severe respiratory symptoms.

Some of the common symptoms include:

• Persistent cough with yellow, green, or bloody mucus
• High fever, sweating and chills
• Shortness of breath and chest pain while coughing or breathing
• Fatigue, nausea or vomiting
• Confusion, especially in older adults

Kumar’s condition is a reminder that pneumonia can escalate quickly, especially in older individuals or those with weakened immune systems.

Also Read: After Jannik Sinner, Tara Moore Makes News Failing Her Doping Test, Resulting In A 4-Year Long Ban

Can Pneumonia Be Fatal?

Yes, pneumonia can be deadly—especially when left untreated or when it occurs in high-risk individuals. According to global estimates, as noted by the American Lungs Association, over 1.8 million people die from pneumonia each year, with children under five in low-income countries being the most vulnerable. In older adults, complications such as respiratory failure, sepsis, or organ failure often lead to death.

Bacterial pneumonia is more likely to require hospitalization, but viral and fungal forms can also be life-threatening. Vaccines such as the pneumococcal vaccine and flu shots can significantly reduce the risk of infection, particularly in older adults.

Maintaining overall health, timely vaccinations, and early medical intervention are critical in preventing complications.

After Jannik Sinner's news of anti-doping test, British tennis player Tara Moore is also making news. The 32-year-old was Britain's top ranked women's doubles player when she was provisionally banned in May 2022. Again, she has been banned for four years for a doping offence, though she had been cleared for the same by an independent tribunal just 18 months ago.

She was tested positive for nandrolone and boldenone at a tournament in the Colombian capital Bogota the previous month.

The reason Moore provided was due to the ingestion of contaminated meat. While in December 2023, an independent tribunal ruled that contaminated meat was the reason that the test came positive and Moore "bore no fault or negligence"; the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) thinks otherwise.

ITIA has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). In the March hearing, Cas said in a media release: "After reviewing the scientific and legal evidence, the majority of the Cas panel considered that the player did not succeed in proving that the concentration of nandrolone in her sample was consistent with the ingestion of contaminated meat."

This means Moore will not be free to play again until the start of 2028 season. "The panel concluded that Ms Moore failed to establish that the ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation) was not intentional. The appeal by the ITIA is therefore upheld and the decision rendered by the Independent Tribunal is set aside."

The ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse told BBC,"For the ITIA, every case is considered according to the individual facts and circumstances. In this case, our independent scientific advice was that the player did not adequately explain the high level of nandrolone present in their sample. Today's ruling is consistent with this position."

What Do Nandrolone Decanoate And Boldenone Do To You?

Nandrolone Decanoate: As per a 2020 study published in journal Medicina, nandrolone decanoate is an androgen, which means it plays a significant role in the development of male reproductive organs. The study notes: "The clinical use of synthetic testosterone derivatives, such as nandrolone, is focused on maximizing the anabolic effects and minimizing the androgenic ones." The study also mentions that apart from its clinical use, skeletal muscles can be considered as the primary target tissue. "Nowadays, especially athletes in power sports such as bodybuilding and weightlifting administer illegally high doses of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) to increase their muscle mass and improve their overall performance," notes the study.

Nandrolone Decanoate injections have been classified under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990 and due to its serious health risks, it is banned by most sports organization and is also listed in the prohibition list by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Side Effects Include:

• Infertility
• Liver Toxicity
• Impaired Lipid Profile
• High Blood Pressure
• Acne
• Hair Loss
• Gynecomastia

Boldenone: As per a 2016 study published in the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, this AAS can be used in repairing wasting of the body caused by some emaciating disease. It can also be used for human sports for better performance and promoting the growth of skeletal muscle.

However, this is also used for increasing the body weight in livestock as growth-promoting agents. This is also one of the matters the study looks into, in order to "evaluate the safety and meat quality criteria in broilers following intramuscular injection of boldenone." This is the reason Moore too used in her defense, that the result of her positive test was contaminated meat.

The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) notes that there is no therapeutic or medical use for boldenone in humans. More specifically, it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in humans for any reason. It also notes that WADA has included boldenone in its prohibited list. Since it could occur naturally at very low concentrations in the urine, WADA-accredited laboratories apply a specific analysis procedure called carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry, or GC/C/IRMS, to differentiate between external administration and internal production.

What are the side effects? USADA notes that in men, boldenone causes decreased testosterone production and impacts the reproductive system and fertility of males. It also impacts the size of the testes, lower sperm count, and sperm mobility.

When most people think of air pollution, the first images that come to mind are smog-choked skylines and coughing fits on high-traffic days. We already know dirty air puts our lungs and heart at risk but here’s the thing: science is beginning to unravel just how deep air pollution’s impact might go—and the brain is increasingly in the crosshairs.

Recent research from institutions across the globe suggests that long-term exposure to certain air pollutants may increase the risk of developing brain tumors and possibly even triggering cerebral aneurysms. While definitive cause-and-effect has yet to be established, the evidence is mounting—and it’s enough to raise serious public health concerns.

For decades, the dominant narrative around air pollution has focused on respiratory and cardiovascular damage. However, scientists are now turning their attention to neurological effects, especially as ultrafine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide—both prevalent in vehicle emissions—are small enough to breach the blood-brain barrier.

A study published in Neurology by researchers from the Danish Cancer Institute found a potential link between long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of meningioma, a generally noncancerous brain tumor. While the study stopped short of proving causation, it tracked over 16,000 individuals for 21 years, revealing a noticeable pattern: people exposed to high levels of ultrafine particles had a significantly higher likelihood of developing these tumors.

“Our study suggests that long-term exposure to air pollution from traffic and other sources may play a role in the development of meningioma and adds to the growing body of evidence that air pollution can affect the brain, not just the heart and lungs,” said Ulla Hvidtfeldt, lead author and doctoral student at the Danish Cancer Institute in Copenhagen.

Can Air Pollution Cause Brain Aneurysms?

While meningiomas are often treatable and non-aggressive, other pollution-linked brain conditions are far more dire. One of the most devastating is aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH)—a rare type of bleeding within the brain that can lead to paralysis, coma, or even death.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Rennert and his team at the University of Utah conducted a five-year retrospective study on patients treated for aSAH. Their focus? To explore whether exposure to PM2.5 particulate pollution could be a trigger.

What they found surprised them. Patients were more likely to suffer a brain hemorrhage three to six months after spikes in pollution levels—not in the days immediately following exposure.

“The delay between pollution peaks and aneurysmal rupture makes it tricky to study, but the implications are serious,” said Rennert. “aSAH has a high mortality rate, and identifying environmental risk factors is crucial for public health.”

These findings, recently published in npj Clean Air, are preliminary but highlight the need for continued research into how pollution may silently undermine brain health long before symptoms arise.

Even "Safe" Levels Aren’t So Safe for Developing Brains

If adults are at risk, children may be even more vulnerable. A large-scale study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, supported by the National Institutes of Health and the EPA, found that even air pollution levels considered “safe” by current EPA standards were linked to changes in children’s brain function and connectivity.

Using MRI scans from over 9,000 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, researchers mapped air quality data—including PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone—at each child’s home. Children exposed to higher pollution levels showed deviations in the connectivity of key brain networks involved in emotion, memory, and learning.

“These changes might seem small, but a deviation in any direction from normal brain development—whether too much or too little connectivity—can be harmful down the line,” explained Devyn L. Cotter, lead author and doctoral candidate in neuroscience at USC.

Why You Should Be Rethinking Air Quality Standards?

Given the growing body of research pointing to neurological harm from pollutants, scientists and public health advocates are now urging regulators to revisit and tighten existing air quality thresholds.

In early 2024, the EPA proposed stronger standards for PM2.5. However, limits for nitrogen dioxide have not changed since 1971—despite its link to inflammation, asthma, and now, possibly brain dysfunction.

“On average, air pollution levels are fairly low in the U.S., but we’re still seeing significant effects on the brain,” Cotter said. “That’s something policymakers need to consider when updating regulations.”

The American Lung Association’s 2024 list of the most polluted U.S. cities ranked Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem 25th for short-term PM2.5 levels—a concern for residents, especially during winter inversion events.

This isn’t just a scientific curiosity. Understanding how air pollution affects the brain changes how we think about environmental exposure, urban design, and even healthcare planning.

Unlike respiratory conditions that are often treated symptomatically, the neurological damage from pollution can be insidious—taking years to manifest and, in some cases, irreversible. From increasing the risk of aneurysmal rupture to altering a child’s cognitive development, the stakes are high.

Dr. Rennert says the goal of his team’s ongoing research is to provide actionable data that can guide both individual choices and policy decisions. “We’re hoping our findings can push people and governments toward change—stricter pollution quotas, better urban planning, and increased public transit use,” he said.

Is There Anything You Can Do To Prevent This?

While systemic change requires regulation and infrastructure shifts, individuals can still take steps to reduce their exposure:

• Check your local air quality index (AQI) and limit outdoor activity during high pollution days
• Use high-quality air purifiers indoors, especially in cities or high-traffic areas
• Advocate for cleaner transit systems and emissions standards in your community

Air pollution is no longer just a lung issue. As we begin to understand its creeping impact on our brains—from subtle cognitive changes in children to deadly aneurysms in adults—it becomes clear that clean air is a non-negotiable part of public health.