Shefali Jariwala's Death Spotlights Rising Cardiac Arrest Risk in Women: Experts Urge Action

The sudden death of Indian television actress Shefali Jariwala has sparked widespread concern and highlights a disturbing trend: the increasing incidence of sudden cardiac issues among women. While the official cause of Jariwala's death is pending further investigation, initial reports suggest a cardiac arrest, raising critical questions about women's heart health.

The Rise of Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), once considered rare in young adults, is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in India. Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 28% of all deaths in the country, with nearly 10% attributed to SCD. A concerning number of these deaths occur in individuals between 30 and 50 years old.

India's evolving socioeconomic landscape has contributed to significant lifestyle changes, including:

• Sedentary behavior
• Processed diets
• Tobacco use
• Increased stress levels

These factors contribute to a rise in:

• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Coronary artery disease

All of which are significant risk factors for SCD.

While historically more common in men, recent studies highlight the unique risks women face. Unlike men, women experiencing SCD often have no prior cardiac diagnoses. Structural abnormalities, such as myocardial scarring and ischemic heart disease, frequently go undetected until post-mortem examinations. Furthermore, many women do not exhibit classic warning signs like chest pain or ECG anomalies, making early detection extremely difficult.

The Silent Threat to Women in Midlife

Women in their 40s and 50s face a silent but 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
• Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

These conditions often remain asymptomatic until a fatal arrhythmia occurs.

In this age group, additional factors increase vulnerability:

• Left ventricular hypertrophy
• Obesity
• Myocardial fibrosis

The progression of myocardial scarring and fibrosis with age can be attributed to:

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

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

Stress also plays a significant role. Takutsobo cardiomyopathy (Broken Heart Syndrome) or Stress-induced Cardiomyopathy is a major cause of SCD in women who multitask and experience emotional stress. Shefali Jariwala's personal struggles, including divorce, anxiety, depression, and epilepsy, may have intersected with her cardiovascular health. Psychiatric medications, particularly those prolonging 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 like fatigue, palpitations, or breathlessness are often dismissed or misattributed, delaying crucial intervention. While heart attacks result from blocked arteries, cardiac arrest stems from electrical disturbances that cause the heart to stop suddenly. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are often the only lifesaving measures, highlighting the need for early risk identification.

Medical experts are 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 a rallying cry, highlighting 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 screen presence. In the wake of her untimely death, 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.