Shefali Jariwala's Death Spotlights Rising Cardiac Arrest Risk Among Women: Experts Urge Awareness and Gender-Specific Prevention

The recent, unexpected death of Indian television star Shefali Jariwala has prompted widespread concern and discussion. While the official cause of death is pending a post-mortem examination, initial reports suggest cardiac arrest. This incident highlights a disturbing trend: the increasing number of sudden cardiac deaths among seemingly healthy, middle-aged women.

An Emerging Crisis: Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), once considered rare in young adults, is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in India. Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 28% of all deaths in India, with nearly 10% attributed to SCD. A significant portion of these fatalities occurs in individuals between 30 and 50 years old.

India's evolving socioeconomic landscape has led to lifestyle changes like:

• Sedentary behavior
• Processed food consumption
• Tobacco use
• Elevated stress levels

These factors contribute to a rise in:

• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Coronary artery disease

All of which are major risk factors for SCD.

While historically more common in men, recent studies emphasize the unique and often overlooked risks faced by women. Unlike men, women who experience SCD often have no prior cardiac diagnoses. Structural abnormalities, such as myocardial scarring and ischemic heart disease, frequently go undetected until post-mortem examinations. Many women do not exhibit typical warning signs like chest pain or ECG anomalies, making early detection particularly challenging.

The Silent Threat to Women in Midlife

Women in their 40s and 50s, like Shefali Jariwala, face a hidden risk from underlying cardiac conditions. In younger individuals, SCD is often linked to inherited or electrical disorders, including:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
• Long QT Syndrome
• Brugada Syndrome
• Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

These conditions may remain asymptomatic until a fatal arrhythmia occurs. Additional risk factors in this age group include:

• Left ventricular hypertrophy
• Obesity
• Myocardial fibrosis

The progression of myocardial scarring and fibrosis with age can result from:

• Cumulative exposure to cardiovascular risks
• Repeated micro-ischemic events
• Hormonal changes, particularly during perimenopause.

Conditions like Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA), which are more prevalent in younger women, often leave no traces in autopsies, complicating diagnosis.

Stress played a significant role in Shefali Jariwala's life, beginning with 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 multitask and experience emotional stress. Shefali also faced personal challenges related to her divorce, along with anxiety, depression, and epilepsy—all of which can affect cardiovascular health. Psychiatric medications, especially those that prolong the QT interval, have also been linked to an increased risk of SCD.

A Call for Gender-Specific Prevention and Increased Awareness

Despite the seriousness of the issue, women are underrepresented in preventive heart care. Symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, or breathlessness are often dismissed or misattributed, delaying crucial 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 life-saving measures, highlighting the importance of early risk identification.

Medical experts are advocating for more targeted public health strategies, including enhanced early screening tools specifically designed for women, particularly during perimenopause, when cardiac risks increase.

Remembering a Star, Inspiring Action

The entertainment industry and fans are mourning the loss of Shefali Jariwala. Her tragic passing serves as a stark reminder of an overlooked health crisis and the urgent need for systemic change in how women's heart health is addressed.

Shefali Jariwala captivated audiences with her on-screen presence. Her untimely death serves as a symbol of awareness, highlighting the fact that the heart’s silence can be fatal, and that women's cardiac health requires immediate attention, investment, and action.