Following the recent tragic passing of a reporter in their residence, which has fueled public discussion and raised the question, “Can overwork truly cause death?”, Khon Kaen University (KKU) is inviting the public to examine the health risks faced by working-age individuals.
Associate Professor Praew Kothuchin, M.D., an expert in Emergency Medicine (Cardiology) at the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, provided insights on how to prepare, manage, and prevent these conditions through timely behavioural adjustments and treatment.
“Today, many people are working harder, resulting in various physical abnormalities. A significant part of this stems from daily habits related to sleeping, sitting, and eating,” Dr. Praew stated.
Dr. Praew explained that the majority of hardworking individuals suffer from “Sleep Debt”—a state defined by consistently sleeping late or having insufficient sleep, which negatively impacts the body. The optimal sleep duration is typically between 7 and 9 hours; however, sleeping less than 7 hours significantly increases the risk of myocardial and vascular diseases, potentially escalating to heart failure and stroke.
“Lack of sleep stimulates the autonomic nervous system, leading to increased blood pressure, poor metabolic function, high blood sugar, and high blood lipid levels. In the long term, this results in cardiovascular disease,” she warned.
Dr. Praew noted that insufficient sleep is widespread in Thailand, even among adolescents aged 17–19. She highlighted that 70% of medical and nursing personnel sleep less than seven hours, and one-third of industrial workers fail to meet standard sleep requirements. “This indicates that the working population in Thailand is under severe strain, affecting their sleep and, consequently, their long-term heart and vascular health.”
Another major issue for working professionals, particularly office workers, is “Sedentary Behaviour” or prolonged sitting, which can lead to chronic diseases. Research shows that sitting in the same posture for just one hour increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 5%. Furthermore, sitting for 7 to 10 hours daily elevates the risk of heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
Finally, individuals who work intensely often experience “Emotional Eating.” Those stressed by heavy workloads or fatigued from prolonged meetings frequently seek comfort in food, craving sweets, fatty items, or favourite meals. This type of constant snacking leads to obesity, diabetes, and high blood lipid levels. Abdominal obesity, in turn, contributes to numerous other conditions, including ischemic heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Praew emphasised that these conditions can be prevented through simple behavioural modification.
For those who cannot achieve 7–9 hours of sleep, the focus should be on maximising sleep quality. This involves sleeping in a room without a television screen, avoiding mobile phone use to reduce blue light exposure, and refraining from consuming caffeine 3–4 hours before bed to ensure deeper sleep.
Regarding prolonged sitting, Dr. Praew confirmed that compensating with exercise at other times is insufficient. To mitigate the risk, individuals must take breaks to stand and stretch every 30–45 minutes, or walk around to change posture.
Finally, diet control is crucial. Workers should limit consumption of overly sweet, fatty, or salty foods and ensure they prioritise main meals. The Faculty of Medicine at KKU actively promotes healthy eating strategies through campaigns such as “Srinagarind Does Not Do Coffee Breaks” (referencing Srinagarind Hospital, the faculty’s teaching hospital), which encourages reducing sugary snacks to improve the health of hard-working staff.
All working professionals should undergo annual health screenings, which are essential for identifying any physical anomalies and ensuring timely treatment.
Concluding her remarks, Dr. Praew addressed the concept of “death from overwork.” While certain countries, such as Japan, have specific medical terminology for this (e.g., karoshi), definitive definitions are lacking in many medical communities.
She stressed that overwork alone might not be the direct cause of death; rather, it often acts in synergy with other underlying risk factors, particularly genetic predispositions to severe cardiac arrhythmia, especially affecting the left ventricle. When an individual overworks, lacks sleep, and consumes alcohol, the heart’s operational efficiency diminishes, potentially triggering lethal arrhythmia. Similarly, severe stress combined with unchecked infections (like colds or high fever) in those genetically prone to heart rhythm disorders can also lead to fatal outcomes.
“Frequently, when people overwork and pass away, it is colloquially referred to as ‘sudden unexplained death syndrome’ or ‘widow’s ghost.’ In reality, these are often rooted in genetic factors coupled with lifestyle risks, which are significantly exacerbated by overwork and poor daily habits,” Dr. Praew concluded.
