The U.S. Fire Administration has published a new report examining cardiovascular disease in the fire service and outlining ways fire departments can improve prevention, detection and management of cardiac risks among firefighters.
‘Cardiovascular Disease in the Fire Service’ focuses on one of the most persistent health threats facing firefighters. According to USFA, sudden cardiac events, including heart attacks and cardiac arrest, remain the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths, accounting for nearly 45% of fatalities in recent years.
The report highlights the physical and psychological demands of emergency response, including heavy exertion, heat exposure, chronic operational stress, irregular shift work, sleep disruption and exposure to traumatic incidents. USFA says these factors can compound existing cardiovascular risk and increase the likelihood of sudden cardiac events.
USFA said the publication is intended to clarify the scale of the problem and identify practical opportunities for reducing risk across the fire service. The report will:
USFA noted that while cardiovascular disease affects nearly half of all American adults, the consequences are particularly serious for firefighters because of the operational demands of the role. The agency said prioritizing prevention, early detection and proper management can help protect firefighters throughout their careers and into retirement.
