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FiREFIGHTERS PERFORM STRENUOUS work in dangerous and unpredictable environments. Despite the numerous dangers on the fireground, the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) among firefighters in the United States is sudden cardiac death, which accounts for approximately 50 percent of deaths.
Determining the effects of acute and chronic aspirin (81 mg) supplementation on hemostatic responses to firefighting activity in firefighters aged >40 years.
Many aspects of firefighting increase cardiovascular strain including activation of the sympathetic nervous system, strenuous physical activity, heat stress and dehydration, and severe environmental conditions. High levels of cardiovascular strain can trigger sudden cardiac events in susceptible individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Fire suppression and emergency duties are associated with a markedly higher risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD) compared with nonemergency duties.
Sudden cardiac death accounts for the greatest proportion of duty-related deaths among US firefighters. Increased understanding of the pathoanatomic causes of sudden cardiac death and the risk associated with underlying cardiac pathologies is needed to develop evidence-based screening recommendations.
Firefighting activities often are conducted in immediately dangerous to life or health conditions that may expose firefighters to extreme environmental temperatures and to multiple chemical and particulate hazards. These conditions necessitate that firefighters wear heavy, insulated, and restrictive personal protective equipment (PPE). Hence, it comes as no surprise that firefighting results in high levels of cardiovascular strain.
Despite the high risk of trauma during fires and other emergency activities, sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of on-duty death among the 1 100 000 firefighters in the USA
Sudden cardiac death accounts for approximately 45% of duty-related fatalities among United States firefighters. Strenuous physical exertion is recognized as a trigger of sudden cardiac events.
Attainable and practical approaches to improve firefighter health and safety targeted to fire service leadership and individual firefighters.