What killed Prateek Yadav? A common condition that doctors call a ‘silent killer’

Anuja Jaiswal & Shimona KanwarTNN
May 15, 2026 | 13:20 IST
Prateek Yadav had a known history of blood clots

Pulmonary Thromboembolism causes around 1 lakh annual fatalities in India but since blood clots are invisible, the condition is largely left undiagnosed until it’s too late

The untimely death of 38-year-old Prateek Yadav, son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, is a grim reminder of how blood clotting, a vital defense mechanism against injury, can turn into a ‘silent killer’ when it blocks major arteries. Prateek had a known history of clots and was considered medically high-risk. His autopsy report mentions a “massive pulmonary thromboembolism”, or a clot blocking blood flow to his lungs and causing his heart to stop.

Dr Ruchita Sharma, associate director, department of medicine at Medanta Hospital, Lucknow and also Prateek’s family doctor, says he had developed blood clots nearly two years ago, which had resolved after six months of blood thinner treatment. “Then, he underwent fat reduction surgery, after which his movement reduced greatly. He had stopped gymming and exercising. All these factors increased his risk,” she adds. He had also developed swelling in the legs before his condition worsened.
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