Dentist from Bucaramanga died while cycling on the road to Pamplona

Helí Barajas Rodríguez, an amateur cyclist, tragically died while cycling uphill towards the district of Berlín. His body lay on the road for over five hours before being moved.

Photo: supplied / VANGUARDIA.

The death of Helí Barajas Rodríguez, a 69-year-old dental technician, has caused consternation among his family, the dental profession, and cycling groups in the city. Rodríguez died while cycling on the road between Bucaramanga and Pamplona.

According to his loved ones, he had been cycling for several years, taking different routes on the outskirts of the Santander capital every Sunday.

However, on Sunday, July 14, at 8:50 AM, at kilometer 17 on the road to the district of Berlin, Rodríguez suffered a sudden medical episode that led to his death.

“The man was found lying on the ground with no signs of life. He was riding a bicycle and apparently suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and died, possibly due to heart failure,” the police stated.

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A relative contacted by Vanguardia stated that Rodríguez’s body remained on the road for approximately five hours. Due to the nature of his death, neither the CTI, Sijin, nor the Traffic Police carried out the removal of the body.

“We had to go to a funeral home, San Pedro, and wait for a private doctor to certify his death. While we understand the cause of death was not violent, we expected more cooperation from the authorities. It is painful to see his body lying there,” the relative expressed.

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Helí Barajas Rodríguez was a dental laboratory technologist at the Universidad Santo Tomás. He owned Dental Barajas, where he worked alongside his two sons, who are also dentists.

“With over 40 years of experience in the dental laboratory field, he was responsible for designing and manufacturing dental prostheses, including partial, removable, and fixed options,” reads the dental office’s Facebook page.

Causes of Sudden Death in Amateur Athletes

According to the medical portal QuirónSalud, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia are among the most common causes of sudden death. For individuals over 35 years of age, coronary artery disease is the most prevalent cause.

For high-performance athletes, a medical evaluation including an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and stress test is recommended before starting any training program and should be done periodically.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of sudden death, just as it is in the general population.

Age plays a significant role in the prevalence of sudden death during sports activity. While the risk is exceptionally low for individuals under 35, the risk of experiencing sudden death increases significantly for those over 35.

Helí Barajas Rodríguez, a 69-year-old amateur cyclist, died suddenly while riding uphill towards the district of Berlín, leaving his body on the road for over five hours.

Photo: supplied / VANGUARDIA.

The death of Helí Barajas Rodríguez, a 69-year-old dental technician, has caused a stir among family members, the dental community, and cycling groups in Bucaramanga. An avid cyclist, Barajas Rodríguez was known for his regular Sunday rides in the outskirts of the Santander capital.

On Sunday, July 14th, at 8:50 am, tragedy struck at kilometer 17 on the road to the district of Berlin. While climbing a hill, Barajas Rodríguez suffered a sudden medical episode that resulted in his death.

“The man was found lying on the ground without any vital signs. He was riding a bicycle and it appears he suffered cardiorespiratory arrest and died, possibly due to heart failure,” the police reported.

A relative, in contact with Vanguardia, expressed their frustration over the situation, stating that Barajas Rodríguez’s body remained on the road for approximately five hours, as the incident was considered a natural death. The CTI, Sijin, and Traffic Police did not handle the removal of the body.

“We had to arrange for a funeral home, San Pedro, and wait for a private doctor to confirm his death. We understand the cause wasn’t violent, but we expected more cooperation from the authorities. It hurts to see his body lying there,” said the relative.

Barajas Rodríguez was a dental laboratory technologist at the Universidad Santo Tomás and the owner of Dental Barajas, where he worked alongside two of his sons who are also dentists.

“With more than 40 years of experience in the dental laboratory area, he was in charge of designing and manufacturing dental prostheses, whether partial, removable or fixed,” according to the dental office’s Facebook page.

Causes of Sudden Death in Amateur Athletes

The medical portal QuirónSalud identifies hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia as the most common causes of sudden death in athletes. In individuals over 35 years of age, coronary artery disease is commonly responsible.

For high-performance athletes, a comprehensive medical evaluation is crucial before starting training and should be repeated periodically. This evaluation should include an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and a stress test.

Similar to the general population, cardiovascular disease remains the most frequent cause of sudden death in athletes.

The risk of sudden death during sports activity is influenced by age. For individuals under 35 years of age, the risk is significantly lower compared to those over 35, who face a higher chance of experiencing this tragic event.

Although Barajas Rodríguez’s death serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with athletic activities, it is important to remember that the vast majority of amateur athletes enjoy these pursuits safely and without encountering such tragic circumstances. Regular medical check-ups, particularly for individuals over 35, are essential for ensuring the safety of athletes of all levels.