Overwork and a Stopping Heart

 

Each year in Korea, more than 30,000 cases of sudden cardiac arrest occur, with 33,586 incidents reported in 2023 alone. Although survival rates and neurological recovery are gradually improving, they remain critically low. In 2023, the survival rate was just 8.6%, and only 5.6% of patients recovered enough to resume normal daily life. While progress in emergency care and hospital treatment is encouraging, tackling the root causes is essential for any fundamental change. Recent studies consistently highlight that long working hours and night or shift work are critical contributors to cardiovascular risk.

Working long hours goes beyond causing fatigue—it directly burdens the heart. Those working more than 11 hours a day face about 1.6 times higher risk of acute myocardial infarction compared to those working 7–9 hours. Employees working over 60 hours per week show nearly a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, while shift workers face about 20% higher risk than daytime workers. These statistics reflect not just numbers, but real working conditions in society.

Night shifts disrupt circadian rhythms, cause hormonal imbalances, worsen sleep disorders, and raise blood pressure and blood sugar instability, all of which collectively strain the heart. Older workers and those with chronic conditions are especially vulnerable. In fact, a large proportion of cardiac arrest patients are men over the age of 70.

Prevention requires both personal and social efforts. On an individual level, securing enough rest, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining 6–8 hours of sleep, quitting smoking, reducing red meat intake, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels are vital steps.

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On a societal level, structural changes are needed: reducing long working hours, expanding health check-ups for shift workers, providing tailored management for high-risk groups, and strengthening education and awareness campaigns on heart health. Emergency medical systems must also keep improving—through public CPR training, greater access to defibrillators, and better coordination between emergency responders and hospitals.

Once the heart stops, restarting it is a race against time. But preventing it from stopping is far more achievable. Striking a balance between work and health is no longer optional—it is essential. With small changes and collective effort, countless lives can be saved. As the saying goes, “When work overshadows life, the heart gives a silent warning.” It is time to heed that warning.