The sudden death of industrialist Sunjay Kapur, former husband of Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor, has left many shocked. The 53-year-old was reportedly playing polo in London when he collapsed and died, with initial reports citing a heart attack as the cause. However, the new details suggest that he reportedly swallowed a bee during the match, and the insect stung him inside his throat, triggering a heart attack. This has left many people wondering: can swallowing a tiny bee really cause something as serious as a heart attack?
To understand what could have gone wrong, we spoke to leading heart and emergency care specialists. They explain two main possibilities that could link a bee sting to sudden cardiac arrest.
1. Choking due to a bee entering the windpipe
Dr. Pravin Kahale, Consultant Cardiologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, says that if the bee accidentally flew into Sunjay’s mouth and entered the windpipe, it could have caused what is medically known as foreign body inhalation, which means an object enters the airway and blocks it.
“If a bee goes into the windpipe, it can obstruct breathing by blocking the airway,” says Dr. Kahale. “When that happens, oxygen levels in the body and brain drop quickly. For someone who may already have an undiagnosed heart condition, this sudden lack of oxygen can trigger a cardiac arrest,” he further explained.
He adds that while choking alone may not affect a healthy person severely, it becomes very dangerous for someone with pre-existing heart problems.
2. Severe allergic reaction from a bee sting (Anaphylaxis)
The second and more likely possibility is that the bee may have stung Sunjay inside his throat or mouth, which caused a sudden and severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
“Bee venom is a known allergen,” explains Dr. Kahale. “If it enters the bloodstream through a sting inside the mouth or throat, it can cause the airway to swell, blood pressure to drop sharply, and breathing to stop—especially if the person already has heart issues,” he added.
This type of reaction can come on suddenly and is considered a medical emergency. The combination of swelling, low oxygen levels, and low blood pressure can quickly lead to cardiac arrest.
What is Kounis syndrome?
Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at KIMS Hospital in Bengaluru, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that this could be a case of Kounis Syndrome which is a rare but serious condition.
“A rare case. Kounis syndrome. A severe allergic reaction leading to #heartattack. Sanjay Kapur had a bee sting inside his throat when he swallowed it during a game of Polo. Probably lead to anaphylaxis and myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest,” his post read.
This condition is extremely rare but has been observed in medical studies. It shows how allergic reactions and heart disease can interact in unpredictable ways.
A rare case. Kounis syndrome. A severe allergic reaction leading to #heartattack. Sanjay Kapur had a bee sting inside his throat when he swallowed it during a game of Polo. Probably lead to anaphylaxis and myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest. #MedTwitter pic.twitter.com/l5NKfZwZ9i
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) June 13, 2025
Why a sting in the mouth is especially dangerous
According to Dr. Varun Bansal, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi bee stings inside the mouth or throat can be far more dangerous than those on other parts of the body.
“A sting in the throat is a medical emergency,” he says. “Swelling can block the airway in minutes. In people with heart problems, this can quickly become life-threatening,” he added.
Dr. Mukesh Goel, Senior Consultant in Heart and Lung Surgery at the same hospital, further explains, “Even people who have never had an allergy before can have a serious reaction to a sting inside the mouth. It can cause difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness, or even loss of consciousness.”
He adds that bee venom can also disrupt the heart’s rhythm, especially if blood pressure drops very suddenly.
Warning signs of a dangerous allergic reaction
Doctors say you should watch out for the following symptoms after a bee sting, especially one in the mouth or throat:
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Rash, itching, or hives
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fast or weak heartbeat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
If any of these symptoms appear, it’s important to call for emergency medical help immediately.
Doctors also stress the importance of regular heart check-ups, especially for those over 40. As the body ages, underlying health conditions may not always show symptoms until something unexpected brings them to light.
