When it Came to Her Health, Sushma Swaraj Was an Open Book

Sushma Swaraj died following cardiac arrest. She had undergone kidney transplant in 2016.

Sushma Swaraj had battled with her health for the last few years.

(Photo: PTI/ Altered by The Quint)

Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away at the AIIMS in New Delhi on the night of Tuesday, 6 August, following a cardiac arrest. She was 67.

The veteran BJP leader was brought to AIIMS in a critical condition but soon passed away, the sources said.

She had undergone a kidney transplant earlier in 2016 and was admitted to the AIIMS for months. Two decades of diabetes had caused her kidneys to shut down.

Unlike other politicians and people in the public eye, she kept the public informed about her health struggles, specially on her Twitter feed.

From the outset, she was frank and candid about what was going on with her health.

In December 2016, she underwent the transplant from a “living, unrelated donor.”

Chances of chronic ailments like heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure are higher after a transplant. The patient may also develop New-Onset Diabetes After Transplant (NODAT), even if they didn’t suffer from diabetes before the transplant.

A transplant means a complete lifestyle change, and a strict regiment to be followed for life.

Sushmaji chose to step away from public life after her term came to an end and did not contest the 2019 general elections.