When the news of actress Shefali Jariwala’s death broke, it left many in shock. She was just 42, appeared fit and had no known major illnesses. Her untimely death from cardiac arrest has raised serious questions about hidden heart risks in young women. Often dismissed as an older person’s problem, heart health issues are now emerging in younger age groups.
"Cardiac arrest is a sudden electrical failure that stops the heart from beating, cutting off blood flow to vital organs,” explains Dr Bhupesh R Shah, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad. “The danger with cardiac arrest is its suddenness, it strikes without warning and requires immediate CPR and defibrillation. Time is everything when it happens. Quick medical action can often mean the difference between life and death,” he says.
Reports suggest that fasting and low BP triggered a sudden cardiac arrest in Shefali Jariwala. Speaking about the various symptoms of cardiac arrest, Dr Shah says, “Even women who seem fit can carry silent heart risks like high cholesterol, undiagnosed diabetes, or structural heart defects. Lifestyle stress, poor sleep, and hormonal factors can all increase vulnerability.”
In India, he shares, studies now reveal that nearly 50 percent of young adults may have one or more hidden cardiovascular risks. “Women are especially vulnerable as their heart symptoms often appear subtle and don’t follow textbook patterns seen in men. This makes early diagnosis even more challenging,” he warns.
Dr Shah shares 8 crucial heart health lessons every woman should take from Shefali Jariwala’s sudden death:
- Cardiac arrest and heart attack are two different emergencies: Cardiac arrest stops the heart suddenly while a heart attack blocks blood flow. Immediate CPR and defibrillation save lives in cardiac arrests.
- Being young and fit doesn’t make you immune: Silent conditions like high blood pressure or cholesterol can exist without symptoms, even in healthy-looking women.
- Women’s heart symptoms are often subtle and easy to miss: Unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, indigestion or jaw pain are all warning signs often brushed aside.
- Make regular screenings a part of your health routine: Simple tests like cholesterol profiles, blood sugar checks, ECGs or echocardiograms can catch hidden risks early.
- Reassess your lifestyle choices before it’s too late: Stress, smoking, poor diet, lack of sleep and even over-exercising without monitoring all increase heart risks.
- Hidden heart conditions often go undiagnosed: Genetic or structural issues like Long-QT syndrome or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy need specific tests for detection.
- Start prevention early by making small but consistent changes: A heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting tobacco and managing stress all reduce your future risk.
- Always listen to your body and act fast if something feels off: Unexplained fatigue, dizziness, palpitations or breathlessness should never be ignored, early action saves lives.
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