Last Updated:
Shefali Jariwala died of a sudden cardiac arrest. Despite swift help from husband Parag Tyagi, she was declared dead on arrival.
Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets are major factors behind rising heart risks among youth.
The tragic and unexpected death of actress Shefali Jariwala at the age of 42 has ignited widespread concern over a growing health crisis: rising heart attack cases among young adults. Known for her iconic role in the music video Kaanta Laga and her participation in Bigg Boss 13, Shefali reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite her husband, actor Parag Tyagi’s swift efforts to get her medical help, she was declared dead upon arrival. Her body was later moved to Cooper Hospital for a postmortem.
As authorities investigate the precise cause, Shefali Jariwala‘s untimely demise underscores an unsettling trend: a significant surge in cardiac incidents among individuals in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s.
Why Are More Young Adults Facing Heart-Related Deaths?
A Worrying Shift in Trends
Cardiovascular disease, once seen as a condition primarily affecting the middle-aged and elderly, is now striking much earlier. Experts report that heart attacks among individuals under 40 are growing rapidly, accounting for 6–10 per cent of global cases. Alarming as that is, the rate in India appears even higher compared to global averages.
Sedentary Lifestyles and Unhealthy Habits
One of the main culprits behind this trend is lifestyle. A large percentage of today’s youth spend extended periods seated at work, during travel or while using screens. Combined with a diet packed with ultra-processed, sugary and fatty foods, this leads to weight gain and increases the risk of conditions like diabetes, hypertension and elevated cholesterol.
The Silent Impact of Mental Stress
Mental well-being is often overlooked but is closely linked to heart health. Persistent stress, anxiety and depression can raise cortisol levels, which in turn spike blood pressure and damage the heart over time. In addition, stress can encourage harmful coping mechanisms such as smoking, excessive alcohol use and drug consumption – all of which increase heart attack risks.
Undetected Medical Conditions
Many young people skip regular check-ups, believing they’re too young to worry about heart disease. As a result, underlying conditions like high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, or early-onset diabetes go unnoticed, only to manifest as major cardiac events.
Other Risk Factors in Young Adults
Additional contributors to early heart attacks include:
- Smoking – Regular or secondhand smoke rapidly damages arteries.
- Substance abuse – Drugs like cocaine or meth can cause sudden heart spasms.
- Chronic hypertension – Puts continuous pressure on arteries and heart muscles.
- Unfavourable lipid profiles – High LDL and low HDL cholesterol contribute to arterial blockage.
- Genetic conditions, such as hyperhomocysteinemia and lipoprotein disorders, that affect blood flow.
Prevention: What Can Be Done?
The encouraging news is that many early heart attacks can be avoided through conscious health management. Doctors recommend:
- Getting regular medical check-ups to identify hidden risks early.
- Maintaining a diet rich in whole foods and engaging in daily physical activity.
- Prioritising mental well-being through practices like meditation, yoga, or counselling.
- Steering clear of tobacco, e-cigarettes and recreational drugs.
- Following proper treatment plans for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Shefali’s passing is more than just a celebrity headline – it’s a sobering wake-up call. Her story emphasises how critical it is for young people to take heart health seriously. Early prevention, awareness, and lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of such tragedies.
If today’s youth begin to prioritise their physical and emotional well-being, we could be looking at a future where heart attacks in the young are the exception, not the norm.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
