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

The unexpected death of Indian actress Shefali Jariwala has sparked widespread concern and brought attention to the rising incidence of sudden cardiac arrest, particularly among women. While the official cause of Jariwala's death is pending further investigation, initial reports suggest a cardiac event, 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, especially in India. Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 28% of all deaths in India, with nearly 10% attributed to SCD. A significant number of these fatalities occur in individuals between 30 and 50 years old.

India's evolving socioeconomic landscape contributes to this alarming trend. Lifestyle changes, including:

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

These factors contribute to a surge in conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease—all major risk factors for SCD.

Unique Risks for Women

Historically, SCD has been more common in men. However, recent studies highlight the distinct 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.

A concerning issue is that many women do not exhibit classic warning signs like chest pain or ECG anomalies, making early detection challenging.

The Silent Threat in Middle-Aged Women

Women in their 40s and 50s face a significant risk from underlying cardiac conditions. In younger individuals, SCD is often linked to inherited or electrical disorders. These include:

• 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 factors such as left ventricular hypertrophy, obesity, and myocardial fibrosis also elevate risk in this age group. The progression of myocardial scarring and fibrosis can be attributed to cumulative exposure to cardiovascular risks, repeated micro-ischemic events, and hormonal changes, especially during perimenopause.

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

Jariwala's life, which began as a teen star, was marked by stress. Takutsobo cardiomyopathy (Broken Heart Syndrome), or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a major cause of SCD in women who multitask and experience high emotional stress. Jariwala also faced personal challenges, including divorce, anxiety, depression, and epilepsy, all of which can impact 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

Despite the severity of the problem, women remain underrepresented in preventive heart care. Symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, or breathlessness are often dismissed or misattributed, leading to delayed intervention. While heart attacks are caused by blocked arteries, cardiac arrest results from electrical disturbances that cause the heart to stop. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are often the only lifesaving measures, emphasizing the need for early risk identification.

Medical experts are advocating for more targeted public health strategies. Enhancing early screening tools tailored to women, particularly during perimenopause when cardiac risks increase, is crucial.

Honoring a Star, Fueling a Movement

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

Jariwala was a star who captivated audiences. Her untimely death serves as a symbol of awareness, highlighting that a silent heart can be fatal. Women's cardiac health demands immediate attention, investment, and action.