Increased Risk of Heart Disease amongst Firefighters in the United States



Increased Risk of Heart Disease amongst Firefighters in the United States

Introduction

Firefighting is one of the most hazardous occupations known. The increased prevalence of deaths amongst firefighters results from heart diseases, instead of third-degree burns or inhalation of an enormous amount of smoke. Cardiovascular diseases, primarily coronary heart diseases, account for approximately 45 percent deaths amongst on duty firefighters. On the contrary, similar events are responsible for only 22 percent of deaths in on duty police officers, 11 percents deaths in medical services workers on duty, and 15 percent of all on duty deaths. This rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases amongst firefighters in the United Stated raises numerous questions regarding the contributing factors, which results in this increased mortality. Some of the probable causes, like physical exertion, quick emergency responses, and high-risk duties, are not unique to this field. They are also distinctive job features in the field of police officers, and various other occupations (Kales, Soteriades, Christophi, & Christiani, 2007, pp. 1207-1215).

There have been several biological explanations that are likely for the increased mortality rate due to cardiovascular causes amongst firefighters, which have been proposed throughout the years. Some of these explanations blame the events on increased exposure to smoke and chemicals, irregular patterns of physical exertion, heat stress, handling heavy equipments and materials on the job, long shift hours, psychological stressors, and high prevailing risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. In view of this great occupational risk, about 37 states in the U.S offer benefits to firefighters who have developed certain cardiovascular diseases. Nonetheless, the debates continue to link the evidences of cardiovascular diseases to firefighting. For this reason, the fundamental question still remains, whether the deaths amongst firefighters due to coronary heart diseases are undoubtedly precipitated by the nature of their work, and, if so, then which duties (Kales et al., 2007, pp. 1207-1215).

Discussion

Amongst firefighters, cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery disease is a cause of a serious concern. Taking up to 40 to 45 percent of deaths while saving lives of others. Researchers are able to differentiate the several-fold increased likelihood of deaths in firefighter while performing non-emergency duties; including while putting out a fire while responding to a fire-alarm; while returning from a fire-alarm; and during the strenuous physical training. Furthermore, experts, after a decade of studies performed on firefighters, have been able to conclude that most of the on duty cardiovascular deaths are related to their work, and are precipitated due to various factors, including both physical and toxic (DeNoon, 2007).

There are various occupational factors that lead to cardiovascular events amongst firefighters. Firstly, the job of firefighters requires long sedentary hours followed by a period of irregular and vigorous exertion. Firefighters are required to react promptly to fire-alarms drastically increasing pulse rates. Furthermore, while suppressing the fire, they work with heart rates near maximal while carrying approximately 50 pounds of extra weighted protective equipment, sometimes for extended periods. In addition, heat stress and continuous fluid ...