Bodybuilder, 28, collapses and dies from heart attack during workout in gym

A young bodybuilder suffered a fatal heart attack after doing a workout in the gym.

A man suffered a cardiac arrest during his gym workout. Credit: Enes Evren/Getty

José Mateus Correia Silva, 28, from Brazil, was reportedly working out with his friends when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest.

He was rushed to a nearby fire station in Aguas Claras, Brasilia, to get medical help but multiple resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and José was pronounced dead shortly after.

He was laid to rest two days later.

While the official cause of death has not yet been revealed, some social media users have alleged steroids may have contributed to the bodybuilder’s death. However, there is no evidence that suggests this at this point in the investigation.

Others also wondered whether the man simply pushed his body a little too hard.

"My neighbor is into professional body building. He said when you're training you're cutting so much and pushing your body to extreme limits to get an edge. Said he sometimes felt like he wanted to die or quit," wrote one person on X.

In a statement, his brother Tiago thanked everyone who supported José.

"I want to thank the entire team that tried to save his life. They were all very professional and provided all the support," he said, as per Need To Know.

"Heaven gained an angel. We are deeply saddened. He was so loved," Tiago added. "We’ve received so many kind messages, flowers, and expressions of support.

"We are very Catholic, we believe in eternal life, and we’ll face this together," he concluded.

The outlet also reported that the 28-year-old had no other known health issues.

While the athlete no longer competed as a bodybuilder, he did finish in ninth place in the 2018 South American Championships in the Men’s Physique Class up to 179cm, per the Daily Mail.

He used his free time to coach other high-performance athletes and create videos to post on social media, giving his followers exercise tips as well as motivational content.

Other tributes have also been pouring in as the news continues to spread online.

"Sad, man. Many things happening around these days," wrote one user.

"Lord have mercy," another added.

"Thoughts to the family..." a third commented.

This loss follows the recent deaths of other young bodybuilders, including Matheus Pavlak and a Belarusian known as 'The Mutant,' who were both victims of heart attacks.

Featured Image Credit: Hirurg/Getty