Nithin Kamath has an advice for people under 50 who think ‘nothing will happen to them’
In a candid post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamath said his biggest mistake was delaying medical attention. “If there is one thing I wish I had done differently when I had my stroke last January, it would have been to go to the hospital immediately within the Golden Hour (<4.5 hours) instead of thinking I could sleep,” he wrote.
‘Paralysis is increasing in young people’
Kamath warned that strokes are no longer limited to older adults. “This ‘nothing will happen to me’ attitude is particularly prevalent among those under 50. But the reality is that strokes are rising sharply between the ages of 30 and 50 (to almost 30% of all strokes in the last few years),” he added.
Highlighting the importance of acting fast, he said, “When it comes to strokes, time is brain; every minute counts.”
Netizens are concerned about Kamath’s messageKamath’s post attracted thousands of followers who appreciated his candor and shared their own experiences. One user wrote: “Yes… my driver suffered a massive stroke and unfortunately he was unaccompanied. The golden hour was missed and major damage was done.” Another added: “A very innovative way of addressing and educating about major diseases among Indians is needed to change this ‘nothing will happen to me’ attitude.”
A third user said: “This is such an important reminder. Many of us assume mindfulness is for ‘others’ – until it isn’t. Thank you for sharing this; it could literally save lives.”
‘You need to know when to downshift’
Kamath first disclosed his health scare in February 2024, saying it “came out of nowhere.” After his father’s death, he attributed it to stress, lack of sleep, dehydration and excessive exercise.
He described how his facial droop and difficulty reading or writing were cured. “I wondered how someone who was healthy and took care of themselves could get through this. The doctor said to me, ‘You need to know when to downshift a bit,'” Kamath said.
A reminder to slow down and stay alert
Kamath, now 44, says he’s “a little bit broken but the treadmill count is still going” and he’s staying positive as he recovers. The message that health emergencies can strike anyone, regardless of health status, resonated online.
The bottom line, according to Kamath, is simple: Awareness and timely action can save lives, even for those who think they are too young to worry.
