Shefali Jariwala's Death Spotlights Rising Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Women: Experts Urge Awareness, Gender-Specific Prevention

The recent death of Indian television personality and actress Shefali Jariwala has prompted widespread concern. While the official cause of death awaits confirmation through post-mortem and forensic analysis, initial reports point to cardiac arrest. This highlights a growing and worrying trend affecting seemingly healthy, middle-aged women.

The Understudied Crisis of Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), once considered rare among young adults, is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in India. This has captured the urgent attention of the medical community. Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 28% of all deaths in India, with almost 10% attributed to SCD. A significant number of these deaths occur in individuals aged 30 to 50.

India's evolving socioeconomic landscape has led to widespread lifestyle changes, including sedentary behavior, processed food consumption, tobacco use, and elevated stress levels. These factors contribute to a rise in hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, all of which are major contributors to 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 frequently have no prior cardiac diagnoses. Structural abnormalities such as myocardial scarring and ischemic heart disease often go undetected during life, only being identified in post-mortem examinations. Compounding the issue, many women do not exhibit classical warning signs like chest pain or ECG anomalies, making early detection extremely difficult.

The Silent Threat in Midlife Women

Women in their 40s and 50s, similar to Shefali Jariwala, face a silent but serious risk from underlying cardiac conditions. In younger populations, SCD is frequently associated with inherited or electrical disorders like 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 such as left ventricular hypertrophy, obesity, and myocardial fibrosis 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 the perimenopausal years. Furthermore, conditions like Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA), more prevalent in younger women, often leave no trace in autopsies, making diagnosis even more elusive.

Stress played a significant role in Shefali'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 impact cardiovascular health. Psychiatric medications, especially those that prolong the QT interval, have also been linked to increased SCD risk.

A Call for Gender-Specific Prevention and Awareness

Despite the seriousness of the issue, women remain underrepresented in preventive heart care. Symptoms such as 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 lifesaving measures, emphasizing the 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

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 captivated audiences with her on-screen presence. In the wake of her untimely demise, she may 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.