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

The unexpected death of Indian actress Shefali Jariwala has sparked widespread concern. While the official cause is pending further investigation, initial reports suggest a cardiac arrest, highlighting a worrying trend of sudden heart issues among seemingly healthy, middle-aged women.

The Increase of Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), once considered rare in young adults, is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in India. This rise is drawing significant attention from the medical community. Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 28% of all deaths in India, with nearly 10% of these attributed to SCD. A significant portion of these fatalities occur in individuals aged 30 to 50.

India's evolving socioeconomic landscape, marked by sedentary lifestyles, processed diets, tobacco use, and escalating stress levels, is contributing to a surge in hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease – all major risk factors for sudden cardiac death.

Historically, SCD has been more common in men. However, 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 until post-mortem examinations. Compounding the issue, many women do not exhibit classic warning signs like chest pain or ECG anomalies, making early detection extremely challenging.

Midlife Women and Cardiac Arrest

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

In this age group, 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 long-term exposure to cardiovascular risks, repeated micro-ischemic events, and hormonal changes, particularly during perimenopause. Furthermore, conditions like Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA), which are more prevalent in younger women, often leave no trace in autopsies, complicating diagnosis.

Stress also played a role in Shefali's life. Takutsobo cardiomyopathy (Broken Heart Syndrome) or Stress-induced Cardiomyopathy is a major cause of SCD in women who multitask and experience emotional stress. 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.

Gender-Specific Prevention and Increased Awareness

Despite the severity of the issue, women are underrepresented in preventive heart care. Symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, or breathlessness are often dismissed or misattributed, delaying critical intervention. While heart attacks 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, underscoring the need for early risk identification.

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

Honoring Shefali's Memory

The entertainment industry and fans mourn the loss of Shefali Jariwala. Her tragic passing serves as a call to action, highlighting an overlooked health crisis and the urgent need for systemic change in how women's heart health is addressed.

Shefali Jariwala will be remembered as a symbol of awareness, reminding us that the heart’s silence can be fatal and that women's cardiac health demands immediate attention, investment, and action.