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Stress and Heart Disease in Firefighters: An "Athletic" Approach to Prevention
Track(s): Fire & Emergency Services

Michael Hamrock, Boston Fire Department

Audio Sample:




Acute and chronic exposures to heat, smoke, toxins, sleep deprivation, suffering and traumatic events make firefighters particularly vulnerable to heart attacks or "acute coronary syndromes." Every three weeks a Boston firefighter suffers an acute coronary event. This session will review the unique physical, chemical, and mental stresses firefighters face that put them at high risk for cardiovascular disease. It will focus on pertinent case studies in a "lessons learned" approach with the goal of developing effective prevention strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease in the fire service. A wellness program that incorporates the ideas and principles that "firefighters are athletes" will be discussed in detail as a novel approach to preventing heart attacks in firefighters.

Michael G.Hamrock MD, is the Medical Examiner for the Boston Fire Department and a former Boston firefighter. He is also an active member of the Boston Fire/Metro Fire Cism Team. He is a strong advocate for health and fitness promotion for firefighters and has given many passionate presentations on this subject.