Shefali Jariwala dies at 42 from cardiac arrest: How it differs from heart attack and what young adults should know

‘Kaanta Laga’ actress Shefali Jariwala has sadly passed away at the age of 42. Reports say she suffered a major cardiac arrest on June 27. Her husband, Parag Tyagi, rushed her to the hospital, but doctors declared her dead. Her sudden death has once again brought attention to heart health, especially among young people. Many confuse heart attacks and cardiac arrests, but they are not the same. Here’s what you should know.

Heart Attack vs Cardiac Arrest: What’s the Difference?

A heart attack happens when the blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. This means the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen, which can damage or even kill part of the heart.

A cardiac arrest, however, is an electrical problem. It happens when the heart suddenly stops beating properly. This stops the blood flow to the body and brain, which can be deadly within minutes if not treated quickly.

What Causes These Conditions?

Heart attacks are mostly caused by blocked arteries, often due to fat build-up or blood clots.

Cardiac arrest is usually caused by an abnormal heartbeat, known as ventricular fibrillation. It can also happen due to trauma, low potassium levels, or even as a result of a heart attack.

What Are the Symptoms?

Heart attack signs can appear slowly or suddenly. They include chest pain, discomfort in arms, neck, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and feeling dizzy. These symptoms may appear weeks or months before the actual attack.

Cardiac arrest often has no warning signs. The person suddenly collapses, stops breathing, and loses consciousness. There is no pulse, and the heart stops beating properly.

What Happens to the Body?

In a heart attack, the heart usually keeps beating, though it may be weak or irregular. The person may remain awake and feel pain.

In cardiac arrest, the heart completely stops pumping, and the person falls unconscious within seconds. Without urgent help, this leads to death very quickly.

Emergency Response

A heart attack needs quick medical care. Doctors may give medicine to dissolve clots, do an angioplasty to open blocked arteries, or perform surgery.

A cardiac arrest needs immediate action: call for help, start CPR, and use a defibrillator (AED) if available. Only an electric shock can restart the heart.

Subtle Signs of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest can seem sudden, but sometimes there are signs weeks or months earlier. These may include:

• Tiredness without reason
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea or back pain (especially in women)

These signs may come and go and are easy to miss, but recognising them early can save lives.

Sources: British Heart Foundation, American Heart Association, UCHealth