Cardiometabolic health among United States firefighters by age

Abstract

Firefighting is strenuous work that results in considerable cardiovascular strain. Sudden cardiac events are the leading cause of duty-related death in the fire service. This cross-sectional study examined cardiometabolic measures and prevalence of risk factors in firefighters by age and sex and compare these data to the general population. Data obtained at medical exams (2015-2018) from 4279 male and 234 female career firefighters at four occupational health clinics in the United States were analyzed. Estimates for the general population were obtained using the 2015-16 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey fasting subsample. Linear regression models stratified by sex with age modelled as a continuous variable were used to examine general trends. Point estimates across age groups (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 year olds) for cardiometabolic measures were reported. Among the total sample, 36% were obese and 25% had low HDL cholesterol. Females had significantly lower body mass index (BMI), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose than males. A significant quadratic relationship of age with BMI, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides was found in males with increasing values peaking between 45 and 50 years. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol increased with age among females. Blood glucose increased with age in both sexes. Firefighters had similar or better cardiometabolic health profiles than the US general population; however, both samples had a concerning prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among individuals ≥ 40 years of age. Health professionals and fire service members alike should consider prevention efforts among young firefighters and better treatment among older firefighters.

Keywords: Atherosclerotic; Blood glucose; Cardiovascular disease; Dyslipidemia; Firefighting; Lipids; Metabolic syndrome.