Shefali Jariwala death: Can beauty treatments cause cardiac arrest? Read here
PTC Web Desk: The sudden death of actor-model Shefali Jariwala on the night of June 27 has sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry. Known for her charismatic presence and active public life, Shefali passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest triggered by low blood pressure, as confirmed in her postmortem report.
According to sources close to the family, Shefali’s health took a serious downturn between 10 and 11 pm on June 27. She lost consciousness and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Shefali, reportedly committed to maintaining a youthful appearance, had been on anti-ageing treatments for nearly eight years. A close family source revealed that she had been taking monthly injections, including glutathione and Vitamin C, which were originally prescribed by a doctor years ago. Despite fasting for a religious puja held earlier that day, she took another dose of the anti-ageing injection in the afternoon.
Police investigations and initial medical findings point toward a possible link between these beauty treatments and her cardiac event. At Shefali’s home, investigators discovered glutathione vials, Vitamin C injections, and acidity medication, prompting concerns about the risks of unsupervised, long-term use of such substances.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant composed of amino acids like glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Its levels decrease with age, and it has become increasingly popular in the beauty industry due to its alleged skin-lightening and detoxifying properties.
While oral and topical forms of glutathione have shown mild improvements in skin texture and melanin reduction, intravenous (IV) use—the method Shefali reportedly followed—raises serious safety concerns. Studies have warned that IV glutathione may trigger anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction) and liver damage, especially when taken without medical supervision or standardised dosage.
A recent medical study published in the journal Cureus also emphasised the urgent need for rigorous clinical trials to determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of such treatments.
Can beauty treatments cause cardiac arrest?
To understand the risks associated with aesthetic procedures, an expert in the field of cardiology stated that while the final event in many illnesses, including kidney failure or cancer, might be cardiac arrest, the key is understanding the underlying cause. In Shefali’s case, the postmortem confirms low BP led to cardiac arrest. But but we need to ask why her blood pressure dropped so drastically?
Medical experts say there is no concrete evidence to directly connect anti-ageing injections to sudden cardiac arrest, but multiple factors such as pre-existing heart conditions, genetics, lifestyle, and medication interactions must be examined. Only a complete medical history and autopsy can provide clarity.
Glutathione is undeniably powerful, known to combat oxidative stress and cell damage. But the growing demand for quick beauty fixes and skin-lightening solutions has led to widespread misuse—especially through IV injections that often lack dosage guidelines and regulatory oversight.
Experts are now calling for tighter controls on the online sale of injectable beauty treatments and urging people to consult qualified doctors before starting such regimens. Products labeled as "safe" can still carry serious risks when used without medical supervision.
- With inputs from agencies
