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Deaths from Heart Disease Among On-Duty Firefighters

New data emphasize the importance of prevention programs for people in this high-intensity occupation.

About 45% of deaths among on-duty firefighters are caused by heart disease. To explore why heart disease is the leading cause of death in this context, researchers analyzed narrative summaries, collected by the U.S. Fire Administration, of deaths associated with firefighting from 1994 through 2004. Deaths associated with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were excluded.

Of 1144 firefighter deaths, 449 (39%) were attributed to coronary heart disease; 144 of the 449 (32%) occurred during fire suppression even though that activity accounted for only an estimated 1% to 5% of firefighters’ on-duty time. Other emergency duties (e.g., alarm response and return) also accounted for a disproportionately large percentage of on-duty CHD deaths relative to the time spent performing those duties.

Comment: These data show that firefighters’ risk for death from CHD is markedly elevated during emergency duties. The editorialists emphasize the importance of risk-factor modification and fitness programs for firefighters, as prevention of underlying CHD is the best way to prevent sudden cardiac death.

— Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Published in Journal Watch Cardiology March 21, 2007

Citation(s):

Kales SN et al. Emergency duties and deaths from heart disease among firefighters in the United States. N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 22; 356:1207-15.

• Original article (Subscription may be required)
• Medline abstract (Free)

Rosenstock L and Olsen J. Firefighting and death from cardiovascular causes. N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 22; 356:1261-3.

• Original article (Subscription may be required)
• Medline abstract (Free)