Firefighting and On-Duty Cardiac Deaths

Conclusion Using autopsy data from on-duty fatalities that occurred over a 15-year period, the underlying cardiac pathological conditions associated with sudden cardiac death were investigated among firefighters. Our data suggest a need for updated and improved medical screening for firefighters. Particularly, screening for CHD and cardiac enlargement should be incorporated into a firefighter’s routine screening. Given the important role of EMS in ensuring both civilian and firefighter safety, EMS personnel should be alert to the potential to encounter either sudden cardiac arrest or a myocardial infarction in firefighters when responding to stressful emergency operations. References 1. Soteriades ES, Smith DL, Tsismenakis AJ, et al. Cardiovascular disease in US firefighters: A systematic review. Cardiol Rev. 2011;19(4):202–215. 2. Smith DL, Barr DA, Kales SN. Extreme sacrifice: Sudden cardiac death in the US fire service. Extreme Physiol & Med. 2013;2(1):1–9. 3. Smith DL, DeBlois JP, Kales SN, et al. Cardiovascular strain of firefighting and the risk of sudden cardiac events. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2016;44(3):90–97. 4. Fahy RF, LeBlanc PR, Molis JL. Firefighter fatalities in the United States—2016. National Fire Protection Association: Quincy, Mass., 2017. 5. Deo R, Albert CM. Epidemiology and genetics of sudden cardiac death. Circulation. 2012;125(4):620–637. 6. Cupples LA, Gagnon DR, Kannel WB. Long- and short-term risk of sudden coronary death. Circulation. ...
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