Shefali Jariwala Dies of Heart Attack: A Heartbreaking Reminder for Young Women Everywhere

Shefali Jariwala, the actor and performer who became a household name with Kaanta Laga and later appeared on Bigg Boss, has passed away suddenly at just 42 years old.
Reports say Shefali Jariwala died of heart attack, caused by sudden cardiac arrest. Her family and husband rushed her to the hospital, but doctors couldn’t save her.

Her sudden passing has left fans and loved ones shocked. But beyond the headlines, this is a painful reminder of something we don’t talk about enough—heart attacks in women under 45 are real, and they’re becoming more common.

What Happened to Shefali Jariwala?

According to early reports, Shefali Jariwala’s death reason was a sudden cardiac arrest.
This happens when the heart’s natural rhythm suddenly stops, cutting off blood supply to the brain and other vital organs. In moments like this, time is everything. Without fast medical help, cardiac arrest is almost always fatal.

What’s even more worrying is that we’ve long believed that women, especially younger ones, were somehow safer from heart attacks because of hormones like estrogen. But doctors now say that belief is outdated. This estrogen heart protection myth is putting too many women at risk.

Why Are Young Women Having Heart Attacks?

Dr. Balbir Singh, a senior cardiologist at Max Healthcare, says times have changed.

“Years ago, we almost never saw young women having heart attacks. Now, we see it often. Even women who seem healthy, active, and fit.”

So what’s happening? Why are more young women facing sudden cardiac arrest?

Let’s break it down.

Smoking and Vaping

It’s no secret that vaping and heart disease are connected. Some women turn to vaping thinking it’s safer than smoking, but it’s not. Nicotine, whether from cigarettes or e-cigarettes, increases heart rate and blood pressure, silently putting the heart at risk.

Birth Control and Substance Use

Many women regularly use oral contraceptive pills, but not everyone knows that they can raise blood pressure and disrupt cholesterol levels over time. Combined with occasional substance use or other lifestyle habits, this adds to the heart’s strain.

Diabetes and Cholesterol Hit Women Harder

Heart disease female risk factors like diabetes and high cholesterol are actually more dangerous for women than for men. Research shows that diabetic women are up to seven times more likely to develop heart disease compared to diabetic men.

The Pressure of Modern Life

One of the biggest hidden dangers? Stress-induced heart attacks.
So many women today are constantly juggling work, family, responsibilities, and expectations.
When stress piles up—whether emotional or physical—it can release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which cause arteries to tighten and can lead to blood clots. This makes the heart more vulnerable to sudden attacks.

Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance

It might sound simple, but even not drinking enough water can throw off the balance of key minerals like potassium and magnesium in your body. This can trigger serious heart rhythm problems and, in some cases, sudden cardiac arrest in young women.

Why Women’s Heart Attacks Are Often Missed

What’s truly scary is that many women don’t even realize they’re having heart problems.
The symptoms of heart attack in women are often not the classic sharp chest pain we hear about.

Women might feel:

• Unusual fatigue
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the back, jaw, or shoulders

Sadly, many women brush these signs off as “normal stress” or exhaustion.
Dr. Singh says that women often delay seeing a doctor because they’re so busy taking care of everyone else.

“Women tend to push their own health aside. They wait too long to get checked, and by then, it’s often too late.”

How Can Women Protect Their Hearts?

Preventive heart care for women has to start early—long before menopause.

Here’s what doctors recommend:

• Keep waist size under 85 cm
• Keep triglycerides under 150 mg/dL
• Keep HDL (good cholesterol) above 50 mg/dL
• Keep blood pressure under 130/85 mmHg
• Keep fasting blood sugar below 110 mg/dL

But the numbers are just part of the story.
Women need to start listening to their bodies, making time for regular check-ups, managing stress, moving their bodies, and dropping dangerous habits like smoking or vaping.

It’s not selfish to put your health first—it’s necessary.

Shefali Jariwala’s Story Is a Wake-Up Call

The news that Shefali Jariwala dies of heart attack is heartbreaking. But it should also be a moment where we all stop and reflect.

Young women are not immune to heart disease.
The rising cases of sudden cardiac arrest in young women tell us that it’s not just something that happens to men or the elderly. It can happen to anyone—anytime.

Shefali’s story is not just about a tragic loss. It’s a reminder that women’s heart health deserves urgent attention. It’s about creating space where women’s symptoms are heard, where they are taken seriously, and where cardiac health awareness is finally given the priority it deserves.

Your heart matters. Your life matters. Don’t wait.