Heart health is still a major issue for firefighters in the United States, and cardiovascular disease is still a prominent killer of fire service members. We must eat right,exercise and stay hydrated to help prevent a cardiac event.
In the last decade, about half of on-duty firefighter deaths were caused by heart attack. Despite these significant statistics, first responders know little about their cardiovascular risks. So why is this occupation so prone to sudden cardiac death – and what can be done to prevent it?
Firefighting is both a physically and emotionally demanding job. The dangerous work, heavy uniforms and overwhelming amount of stress cause strain on the heart. This strain, in conjunction with a toxic work environment – breathing in smoke, dehydration and gas exposure – can trigger a sudden cardiac episode.
While not much can be done to change the environment firefighters work in, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has assembled a list of lifestyle changes that can help firefighters reduce their cardiac risks:
- When firefighting, wear SCBA from initial attack to completion of overhaul
- Exercise daily
- Eat a healthy diet
- Get adequate sleep
- Have an annual physical
- Monitor blood pressure
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid tobacco use
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Maintain normal lipid levels
