By Jerry Smith
Firefighters young and old have to be concerned about coronary artery disease and the consistent frequency of fatal heart attacks. We are not winning the battle against the #1 killer of firefighters. Medical research tells us that one out of every 20 people below the age of 40 has heart disease. There is every reason to believe that active firefighters are likely candidates to develop serious risk factors linked with coronary artery disease as they age. According to medical experts, and I quote: “Heart disease isn’t generally thought of as a young person’s disease, but being young and physically fit is no guarantee the arteries that keep your heart pumping aren’t blocked.”
Unfortunately, more firefighter families in 2007 will anguish over a coroner’s report associated with a loved one’s unexpected heart attack and sudden cause of death: “For example, medical history indicated that the victim had six coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors: family history, hypertension, hyper-cholesterolemia, male gender, obesity and smoking. Three arteries are calcified with 10% to 50% obstruction multi focally. Nonadherent thrombus in the right coronary Artery. Mild atherosclerosis of the mitral and aortic valves * A 1 cm scar in the posterior wall of the left ventricle, inferiorly.”
Recent studies over a 10-year period have concluded that 440 firefighters–43.7 percent of those who died on the job–experienced sudden cardiac death (heart attacks and other heart-related sudden death) typically triggered by stress or overexertion. A stunning May 16, 2005 NFPA report reveals three-quarters of those who died went to work with known or detectable heart conditions. Did they understand beforehand the risk involved when exposed to the serious side effects of stress and overexertion in firefighting?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) was able to obtain personal medical information for 308 of those 440 firefighters. It found that 134 had previously suffered a heart attack, undergone bypass surgery, or angioplasty/stent placement. The majority had known heart disease and were not placed on restricted duty. An additional 97 had severe blockage of the heart’s arteries but it is unclear whether this was known prior to their deaths.
Who will be the next innocent victim to die of heart disease this year? Will it be the hypertensive, overweight, hard-core smoker with high blood pressure or the fitness fanatics who have yet to come to grips with their family history of heart disease and the increased risk they could suffer a fatal heart attack in the prime of life? This staggering cycle of fatal heart disease continues to be an inescapable fact for too many firefighters at risk in America.
Here are the ages of firefighters under 60 who died from a sudden heart attack or stroke in 2006: 19, 25, 28, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58, 59. The numbers in bold signify that one or more firefighters in that age grouping died from a heart-related episode.
A recent screening by the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program tested more than 10,000 career and volunteer firefighters at trade shows around the country. A high incidence of elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity was found. Further results of this screening found six percent had Stage 2 hypertension, 24 percent had Stage 1 hypertension, and 47 percent were prehypertensive. Is this not a clear message that too many firefighters are placing themselves at high risk for a sudden and fatal heart attack?
HEALTHY HEART
“Your heart is an amazing organ. It continuously pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body to sustain life. This fist-sized powerhouse beats (expands and contracts) 100,000 times per day, pumping five or six quarts of blood each minute, or about 2000 gallons per day” (source: WebMD).
HYPERTENSION
There are several categories of blood pressure:
- Normal: Less than 120/80
- Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
- Stage 1 hypertension: 140-159/90-99
- Stage 2 hypertension: 160-100 or higher
“Hypertension is a serious condition that can damage the blood vessels, and can eventually lead to several other conditions, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and vision problems. There are usually no symptoms or signs of hypertension. In fact, nearly one-third of those who have it don’t know it. The only way to know if you have hypertension definitely is to have your blood pressure checked.” Read the WebMD article here
There should be no doubt that annual heart screening is the positive path for firefighters to follow and the more we learn about heart disease prevention, the more control we have over maintaining a healthy heart and our longevity of life. All firefighters have to be accountable for their own heart health. Until that happens, don’t expect a reduction in firefighter line-of-duty deaths. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel: The International Association of Fire Fighters, U.S. Fire Academy, NVFC, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and others are promoting improved firefighter fitness and coronary artery disease prevention programs. Thanks to all of these dedicated fire service organizations working hard to counter the frequency of firefighter heart attacks and determined to greatly improve national fire service awareness about the #1 killer of firefighters year after year.
Jerry Smith, a former Los Angeles City captain and California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Fire & Rescue Division assistant chief, retired from active service in 1987. After 46 years, he remains a “tell it like it is” and advocate for firefighter rights and safety. He is also the WebBoard administrator for the Emergency Grapevine, an “all-risk” message forum for emergency response and recovery personnel around the world; a public safety Web site established in August 1997; and a staff writer for the award winning Los Angeles Firefighter, official publication of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City – Local 112, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLC. His regular commentary is also reprinted on several prominent Fire/EMS Web sites and in newsletters and print magazines.
