The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64764

Lance Byczek, BSN, RN¹, Surrey M. Walton, PhD², Karen M. Conrad, PhD, RN, MPH³, Paul A. Reichelt, PhD³, and Daniel G. Samo, MD, FACOEM⁴. (1) School of Public Health, Division of Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, M/C 923, Chicago, IL 60612-4336, 312-413-5642, lbycze1@uic.edu, (2) College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, M/C 871, Chicago, IL 60612, (3) School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor Street, M/C 923, Chicago, IL 60612-4336, (4) Occupational Medicine Evanston/Glenbrook Associates (OMEGA), 2025 Pfingsten Road, Suite 280, Glenview, IL 60025

Limited cardiovascular risk data are available for firefighters. This cross-sectional study of data collected during annual physicals described the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among firefighters (N=200) and examined relationships between Body Mass Index (BMI) and other cardiovascular risk factors. Evidence-based guidelines were used to determine prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and Framingham risk scoring was used to estimate cardiovascular risk. Firefighters ranged in age from 22 to 64 years with a mean age of 41 years. The prevalence of obesity, elevated total cholesterol, and elevated blood pressure in firefighters exceeded Healthy People 2010 targets; firefighters' prevalence of obesity and elevated total cholesterol was higher relative to the U.S. adult population. Elevated BMI values had positive significant (p<=.01) associations with elevated blood pressures, triglycerides, and glucose levels, and a negative significant (p<=.05) association with lower HDL cholesterol levels. Fire department worksite health and fitness policies/programs should proactively target firefighters’ levels of physical fitness. Future firefighter-related research should target cardiovascular risk factors among firefighters and examine the efficacy of risk-reduction programs among this population.

Learning Objectives:

After reading the poster, the reader (learner) will be able to:
• List occupational exposures that place firefighters at risk for cardiovascular disease
• Evaluate cardiovascular risk of firefighters relative to evidence-based guidelines and Framingham multivariate risk scoring
• Describe the role of occupational health professionals in addressing the prevention, screening, treatment and rehabilitation of cardiovascular risks in firefighters

Keywords: Occupational Health, Risk Factors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.