• Was taking medicine for high cholesterol 
• Had died hours before he was rushed to hospital

CPN-Maoist Centre Chair and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s only son, Prakash Dahal, died of sudden cardiac arrest this morning. He was 36. Dr JP Jaiswal, cardiologist at Norvic International Hospital, said during a press conference organised by the hospital that Prakash Dahal had died around three hours before he was brought to the hospital. Prakash’s two aides had rushed him to the hospital at 5:50am. Dr Jaiswal said, “There was no sign of life when he was brought to the hospital.  His body had stiffened and the pulse was absent. His eyes didn’t react to light and there were no reflexes in his legs. When we did electrocardiogram there was a flat line.” Doctors pronounced him dead at 5:59am. Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, one of Prakash’s close friends, told THT that Dahal was on cholesterol medication for some time. The hospital source confirmed that Dahal had visited the hospital for regular check-up one-and-a-half months ago and was taking medicines for high cholesterol. Dahal’s final rites took place at Pashupati Aryaghat without an autopsy. “There were no injury marks on his body and since he died of sudden cardiac arrest, there was no need for an autopsy,” said Dr Jaiswal. Prakash is survived by two wives and two sons. Pushpa Kamal Dahal who was in Birtamode, Jhapa, campaigning for federal and provincial elections, rushed to Kathmandu after learning of his son’s death. Before visiting the hospital Dahal went to his residence in Lazimpat to meet his wife Sita Dahal, who fell ill after her son’s death. Prakash’s second wife, Bina Magar, ran to the emergency ward of the hospital crying inconsolably.  His first wife, Srijana Tripathi, who flew to Kathmandu from Pokhara, fainted at the hospital after seeing her husband dead. Several politicians, CPN-MC cadres, well wishers and onlookers gathered on the hospital premises as the news of Prakash’s sudden death spread across the country. CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress leaders Prakash Man Singh and Prakash Sharan Mahat and CPN-MC leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha were among those who visited the hospital and expressed condolence to the bereaved family. Prakash’s uncle Narayan Dahal and sister Renu Dahal also visited the hospital. Prakash’s body was later taken to Paris Danda, the CPN-MC headquarters, for final tributes. Prakash, who was the personal aide of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, was busy campaigning in Chitwan for the past few days and had returned to Kathmandu on Friday. Dahal’s eldest daughter Gyanu KC had died of breast cancer on March 27, 2014. What is SCA? KATHMANDU: “Sudden cardiac arrest is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. It may be because of blocked arteries and veins. If there is an accumulation of water or blood outside the heart, the heart stops beating, resulting in SCA. One must take such patient to the hospital immediately,” Dr Chandra Mani Poudel, DM Cardiology, Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre, told this correspondent. “Seventy to eighty per cent of patients suffering sudden cardiac arrest die,” Dr JP Jaiswal, cardiologist at Norvic International Hospital, said. “There is a risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young people. Stress, lack of sleep, consumption of alcohol and smoking are some of the factors responsible for sudden cardiac arrest,” added Dr Poudel. (UPDATED) Prakash Dahal dies of cardiac arrest, confirms hospital KATHMANDU: The Thapathali-based Norvic International Hospital has officially confirmed the death of Prakash Dahal, son of CPN Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, this afternoon. Organising a press conference on the Hospital premises, Cardiologist Dr JP Jaiswal informed that Dahal was taken to the hospital at 5:50 am. “Upon arrival, his hands were already cold, pulse rate was zero, eyes had no reaction and body parts had no reflex action. We performed an Electrocardiography (ECG) but it showed the flat line,” said Jaiswal. “In 90 per cent of such cases, patient suffers a severe cardiac arrest. We assume that he was already dead some three hours ago before being brought to the hospital.” It has been learned that no autopsy was carried out as the doctors confirmed Dahal dying of cardiac arrest. CPN MC Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrived in Kathmandu from Jhapa after cancelling the scheduled election rally. Prakash Dahal was born on 31 May 1981 at Bhimsennagar, Chitwan.  He was the only son of the former Prime Minister. He was also a central committee member of the party and the personal aide of Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Prakash Dahal was busy in the election campaigning in Chitwan for the past few days.