Chinese Man Regains Consciousness After Heart Attack Says 'I Need to Rush to Work'

A man in his 40s from central China became the center of online discussions after suffering a heart attack at a railway station and astonishing bystanders with his determination to return to work immediately upon regaining consciousness. This happened at a Changsha railway station in Hunan province on the last day of an eight-day Spring Festival holiday on February 4.

The man had reportedly been in line to board a train when he suddenly fell. Railway staff and a doctor on the site immediately stepped into action, doing emergency resuscitation for almost 20 minutes. When he regained consciousness, his first words surprised everyone: "I need to take the high-speed train to go to work." In his alarming state, he turned down medical aid, thinking it was unnecessary since he was merely going to visit a hospital.

An expert doctor on site advised him strenuously that he should visit the hospital to prevent further medical injury from injuries at the accident point. Some reluctant moments had later passed as he agreed to receive further care by being hospitalized.

Social Media Reactions:

The reaction of the man struck a chord in the hearts of many internet users in China, indicating the extreme pressure workers are subjected to. A user said, "He woke up, and the first thing he thought about was making money. This is both touching and heartbreaking. Someone else said, "He is not alone-many of us carry heavy burdens, from mortgage payments to children's education. Life isn't easy for anyone."

The Bigger Picture: Work Pressure and Unemployment:

This case has brought into the spotlight deeper issues regarding China's stressful work environment and a high rate of unemployment. Statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics show that the official statistics indicate that in November 2023, the jobless rate for the respondents aged 16 to 24, not in education, stood at 16.1%, down from 17.1% reported earlier in October.

Overwork-related health issues are a regular feature in the headlines of China. A recent case was reported in 2022 when, at a gym, an IT engineer, 30 years old and working for one of the biggest tech companies in Shanghai, collapsed and suddenly died. He was burdened by a mortgage payment of 20,000 yuan ($2,700) per month while having a pregnant wife.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)