BKS Iyengar Admitted to Hospital Amidst Health Concerns

We’ve just been made aware that BKS Iyengar was admitted to the hospital Tuesday afternoon and has been treated for breathlessness and low blood pressure, The Indian Express reports.

Yogacharya B K S Iyengar, 96, was admitted to the critical care unit of a private hospital on Tuesday afternoon after he complained of breathlessness.

Doctors said he was stable and conscious and was being treated for breathlessness and low blood pressure. Echocardiography and other blood tests would be conducted as part of the check up, they added.

BKS Iyengar had recently traveled to Delhi in April to accept the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in India recognizing exceptional and distinguished service, presented by the president. Upon returning, he spent a month in his native city of Bellur before heading back to Pune where he was unwell, according to a source cited in the article. Iyengar was treated at home by the family physician, but apparently had grown weaker in the past ten days, and eating less, prompting his family to bring him to the hospital.

More from Times of India:

“He had been having difficulty in breathing and had swelling in his feet for the last three weeks, but preferred to be treated at home. Yesterday, his condition worsened and he was brought here,” hospital authorities said.

After conducting a series of tests, doctors found that Iyengar’s heart was weak and its ability to pump blood all over the body had been affected. “The complications in his condition are caused by his advanced age (Iyengar is 96 years old). His kidneys are also not functioning fully,” they added.

However, Iyengar is fully conscious, is able to converse with those around him and is eating normal food. He has a medical history of heart disease and has suffered two heart attacks, the first was 18 years ago and the second 16 years ago.

This is all the information we have as of now. We will report more as it becomes available. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Iyengar family with healthy wishes to Mr. Iyengar.