Shefali Jariwala's Death Spotlights Rising Threat of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Women: Experts Urge Awareness and Prevention

The recent, untimely death of Indian actress Shefali Jariwala has resonated across the nation, raising critical questions about women's heart health. While the official cause of death remains pending post-mortem and forensic analysis, initial reports suggest cardiac arrest. This incident highlights a disturbing trend: an increasing number of seemingly healthy, middle-aged women are dying suddenly from heart-related issues.

The Rise of Sudden Cardiac Death: An Overlooked Crisis

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), once considered rare among young adults, is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in India. This alarming trend has caught the attention of the medical community. Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 28% of all deaths in India, with nearly 10% attributed to SCD. Shockingly, a significant number of these deaths occur in individuals between 30 and 50 years old.

India's rapid socioeconomic changes have brought about widespread lifestyle alterations. Sedentary behavior, processed diets, tobacco use, and heightened stress levels are contributing to a surge in conditions like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease – all major risk factors for SCD.

While historically more common in men, recent studies highlight the unique and often-overlooked risks faced by women. Unlike men, women who experience SCD frequently have no prior cardiac diagnoses. Structural abnormalities, such as myocardial scarring and ischemic heart disease, often go undetected during life and are only identified during post-mortem examinations. Furthermore, many women do not exhibit typical warning signs like chest pain or ECG anomalies, making early detection extremely difficult.

The Silent Threat in Middle-Aged Women

Women in their 40s and 50s, similar to Shefali Jariwala, face a silent yet serious risk from underlying cardiac conditions. In younger populations, SCD is often linked to inherited or electrical disorders such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia. These conditions often remain asymptomatic until a fatal arrhythmia occurs.

In this age group, additional factors like left ventricular hypertrophy, obesity, and myocardial fibrosis further increase vulnerability. The progression of myocardial scarring and fibrosis with age can be attributed to cumulative exposure to cardiovascular risks, repeated micro-ischemic events, and hormonal changes, especially during perimenopause. Moreover, conditions like Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA), which are more prevalent in younger women, often leave no trace in autopsies, making diagnosis even more challenging.

Stress played a significant role in Shefali Jariwala's life, starting from her early career as a teen star. Takutsobo cardiomyopathy (Broken Heart Syndrome), or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is also a major cause of SCD in women who are multitasking and emotionally stressed. Shefali also faced personal struggles, including divorce, anxiety, depression, and epilepsy – all of which can intersect with cardiovascular health. Psychiatric medications, particularly those that prolong the QT interval, have also been linked to an increased risk of SCD.

A Call for Gender-Specific Prevention and Awareness

Despite the severity of the issue, women remain underrepresented in preventive heart care. Symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, or breathlessness are often dismissed or misattributed, leading to delays in critical intervention. Unlike heart attacks, which are caused by blocked arteries, cardiac arrest results from electrical disturbances that cause the heart to stop suddenly. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are often the only lifesaving measures, highlighting the critical need for early risk identification.

Medical experts are now advocating for more targeted public health strategies. There is a need to enhance early screening tools tailored to women, particularly during perimenopause when cardiac risks surge.

Honoring a Star, Fueling a Movement

As the entertainment industry and fans mourn the loss of Shefali Jariwala, her tragic passing serves as more than a moment of grief—it is a rallying cry. Her death highlights an overlooked health crisis and the urgent need for systemic change in how women's heart health is addressed.

Shefali Jariwala was a star who captivated audiences with her screen presence. However, in the wake of her untimely demise, she may well be remembered as a symbol of awareness, a reminder that the heart’s silence can be fatal, and that women's cardiac health demands immediate attention, investment, and action.