Shefali Jariwala's tragic death exposes the health risk women keep ignoring: Doctors reveal the silent threat behind it

Time of India

7 hours ago

For a generation, Shefali Jariwala will always be the dazzling "Kaanta Laga" girl—a name that brings with it memories of early 2000s music videos, unmatched dance moves, and that air of effortless cool.
But now, heartbreak hangs heavy in the air as fans wake up to the devastating news of her sudden and untimely passing.
In her early 40s, Shefali died of a sudden cardiac arrest. To many, the news feels almost unreal. This was a woman who radiated energy—sharing workout videos, wellness tips, and glowing moments from her daily life on social media. Her presence was consistent, cheerful, and health-conscious. And perhaps that's what makes her passing so difficult to process.
But beneath this shock lies a darker, more urgent reality that health experts have been warning about: sudden cardiac deaths in young, seemingly healthy women are on the rise—and no one is talking enough about it.
The myth of the 'man's disease'
For decades, heart disease was considered a 'man's issue.' Women, especially younger women, were seen as low-risk—protected by their hormones and relatively healthy lifestyles. But now, the data tells a different story.
And Shefali's tragic death is part of a growing, troubling pattern.
Cardiologist Dr Ashish Agarwal, Director at Aakash Healthcare, is blunt: 'Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are now one of the leading causes of death in women, killing 10 times more women than breast cancer.' According to the National Family Health Survey (2020), nearly 19% of Indian women aged 15–49 have untreated hypertension—a silent killer that can set the stage for fatal heart events.
'Shefali's sudden passing is a stark reminder,' says Dr Agarwal, 'that even women who appear fit and active can be at serious risk. Early screening, managing diabetes, cholesterol, and stress—these are no longer optional. They are essential.'
A double battle: Epilepsy and the heart
What many may not know is that Shefali also battled epilepsy for over 15 years—a detail she openly shared in interviews, becoming a rare celebrity voice in destigmatizing the condition.
According to Dr Praveen Gupta, Chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), epilepsy's toll is far more than the seizures themselves.
'Shefali's experience, enduring epilepsy for 15 years as she once openly shared, illustrates the profound toll that repeated seizures can take on an individual's life, far beyond momentary physical manifestations. It is not uncommon for people with such persistent neurological conditions to face debilitating clusters of symptoms.
Seizures that occur unpredictably such as she described happening in classrooms, backstage, or on the road, can erode self-confidence and overall well‑being,' Dr Gupta says.
Over time, this stress may also contribute to cardiovascular strain—a little-understood but important link between neurological and cardiac health.
Shefali had once described how her episodes would hit suddenly—in classrooms, at shoots, on the road.
She battled not only seizures but fear, anxiety, and the stigma that came with them. For millions living with epilepsy, her voice was a lifeline.
When symptoms don't look like symptoms
One of the cruelest ironies of heart disease in women is that the warning signs rarely look like the dramatic chest-clutching scenes we see in movies.
'Women's heart attack symptoms often include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath,' explains Dr Subrat Akhoury, Chairman of Cath Lab & Interventional Cardiology at Asian Hospital.
'These signs are frequently brushed off as stress, PMS, or just another exhausting day.'
That misinterpretation can cost lives.
Dr Akhoury further explains that women's arteries behave differently than men's—plaque builds up in different patterns, making traditional diagnostic tools less effective. Emotional health, he adds, plays a much bigger role in women's heart risks than previously acknowledged. 'Anxiety, depression, and chronic stress—these can all quietly increase the risk of heart disease,' he warns.
And after menopause, that risk spikes significantly.
Behind the numbers: Young women at risk
Why are more women in their 30s and 40s facing such deadly outcomes?
According to Dr Anupama V. Hegde, Senior Consultant at Ramaiah Institute of Cardiac Sciences, the answers lie in a web of factors—structural heart diseases, rhythm abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and a lifestyle that's become increasingly taxing.
'Sudden cardiac arrest in young women is devastating—and it's accounting for nearly one-third of all female deaths,' she says.
'Unhealthy eating habits, high stress levels, poor sleep, rising diabetes and hypertension rates, and sedentary lifestyles have all converged. And young women are bearing the brunt.'
The rise in spontaneous coronary artery dissections—a rare but serious heart event—has also been observed more frequently in women under 50, often those without traditional risk factors.
The genetic card: A silent player
But lifestyle alone doesn't tell the whole story.
Genetic predisposition plays a powerful, often hidden role in determining heart disease risk—especially in women who seem otherwise healthy.
Dr Ramesh Menon, Director of Personal Genomics and Genomic Medicine, believes we're now entering an era where precision medicine can save lives. 'For women over 40, standard tests often miss early red flags. Genetic testing allows us to assess individual risk long before any symptom appears.'
Hormonal shifts, especially during perimenopause and menopause, interact with genetics to significantly alter heart risk profiles. Add in smoking, irregular sleep, and chronic emotional labor—and you have a perfect storm.
'Genetics isn't destiny,' Dr Menon says, 'but knowing your predisposition can empower you to take action early—through diet, medication, or lifestyle change.'
The emotional labor that goes unseen
There's also a cultural layer we cannot ignore.
Women, particularly in India, are often conditioned to put themselves last—juggling careers, caregiving, emotional support roles, and endless to-do lists. They normalize fatigue. They silence discomfort. And they delay check-ups because there's always someone else to take care of first.
But the consequences of that invisibility can be fatal.
A moment to mourn—and to wake up
Tributes are now pouring in across social media. Videos of Shefali dancing, her glowing skin, her confident voice—they're all being shared with disbelief and grief.
She was, for many, a symbol of fearlessness and flair.
But now, amid the mourning, there's a growing question: how many more young women have to die before we start taking their heart health seriously?
This is not just about one celebrity. This is about a generation of women walking through life with hidden heart risks—unseen, unspoken, and untreated.
What can you do—right now?
Doctors across the board offer the same advice: get proactive. Whether you're 25 or 55, it's time to take your heart seriously.
Know your numbers: Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI.
Listen to your body: Fatigue, breathlessness, unexplained pain—don't ignore it.
Manage stress: Mental health is cardiac health.
Move more, sit less: Even 30 minutes a day of walking helps.
Ask about family history and consider genetic testing: Especially if early deaths run in your family.
Don't dismiss symptoms just because you're young or 'fit'.
Because sometimes, it's not just another tiring day. It's your heart waving a red flag.
Shefali Jariwala lit up every frame she was in. Her story now becomes something more—a cautionary tale, a wake-up call, and a reason for women everywhere to listen more closely to their bodies.
She danced like no one was watching. Now, her silence leaves us with questions that demand answers.
Rest in peace, Shefali. Your voice, your courage, and your story might just save lives.