Known heart problems cause many firefighter deaths

AORN Journal,  July, 2005  

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Of firefighters who died of heart attacks on the job, 75% went to work with known or detectable heart conditions, according to a Nay 16, 2005, news release from the National Fire Protection Association. Sudden cardiac death, which typically is triggered by stress or exertion, was the top cause of on-duty firefighter deaths from 1995 to 2004, and accounted for 440 deaths (ie, 43.7%). Medical information obtained for 308 of those 440 firefighters revealed that 134 had previously suffered a heart attack, undergone bypass surgery, or had angioplasty/stent replacement. An additional 97 had severe blockage of the heart's arteries, but it is unclear whether this was known before their deaths. Health promotion, screening, appropriate job restrictions, and subsequent treatment could reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death for firefighters.

Many Firefighters With Known Heart Problems Go to Work (news release, Quincy, Mass: National Fire Protection Association, May 16, 2005).

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