Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif may develop “Takotsubo Syndrome”, a heart condition usually the result of severe stress, if he returns to Pakistan and is put in solitary confinement, a doctor who examined the 72-year-old has said.

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Dr Fayaz Shawl, an American cardiologist of Indian origin, said in a report, “If he (Sharif) returns to solitary confinement, he may develop what we call the takotsubo syndrome due to stressful environment and it could have “devastating consequence.”

The report was submitted at the Lahore High court on Tuesday and also advses Sharif to not travel “without undergoing a definitive treatment in London”.

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Takotsubo Syndrome, or ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ is a weakening of the left ventricle that is usually the result of severe stress.

Sharif, who served as prime minister for nine years in three terms, faces corruption charges in Pakistan. He has been living in London in self-exile ever since he was allowed to leave the country on medical grounds on a four-week bail in 2019.

The PML-N supremo has said he will return to the country, but has not indicated when he plans on returning. Sharif has been placed on Pakistan’s Exit Control List after the cabinet’s approval last year.

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In the report, the doctor advised certain lifestyle changes for Sharif, including g a healthy diet and regular exercise. “In addition he was strongly advised to manage his stress to the maximum extent to avoid what happened to him during imprisonment. Any further solitary confinement for a prolonged period will have negative effect towards his health, both physically and psychologically.”

Shawl said that Sharif may need “complex coronary intervention or redo CABG”, but the procedures are on hold in London as most patients are in the ‘High-Risk’ category of contracting COVID-19.

The report has kicked up a political storm in Pakistan, with a number of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaaf (PTI) leaders saying that the report is bogus.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shahbaz Gill took a dig at Shawl and said “he should have written that in order to keep the patient’s heart happy, he should be made the Prime Minister immediately.”