Occupational Sudden Death Syndrome

Occupational Sudden Death Syndrome or karoshi (translated from Japanese ‘death from overwork’) is an almost exclusively Japanese problem caused by shift work and an increased work load, together with excessive overwork in spite of ill health. An ill-advised Japanse sense of pride prevented patients to take much needed rest and recuperation.

It mostly manifests in businessmen or high ranking executives, who are usually just over 40 years old.

The major medical causes of Occupational Sudden Death Syndrome are heart attack and stroke, including subarachnoidal hemorrhage (18.4%), cerebral hemorrhage (17.2%), cerebral thrombosis or infarction (6.8%), myocardial infarction (9.8%), heart failure (18.7%), and other causes (29.1%).