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Electrocardiographic Responses Following Live-Fire Firefighting Drills.
Denise L Smith1, Gavin P Horn, Bo Fernhall
1Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York (Dr Smith, Dr Rowland); Illinois Fire Service Institute (Dr Smith, Dr Horn, Mr Kesler); Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois (Dr Horn), Urbana-Champaign; Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition, Integrative Physiology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago (Dr Fernhall), Illinois; Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Ohio (Dr Fent); and Firefighter Safety Research Institute, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Columbia, Maryland (Mr Kerber).
Live-firefighting causes significant electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, including arrhythmias and ST segment changes, indicating potential myocardial ischemia in firefighters. Further research is needed to understand the long-term cardiovascular risks associated with these findings.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Firefighting involves exposure to environmental and physiological stressors.
- These stressors can lead to cardiovascular strain, potentially causing arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia.
- Sudden cardiac events (SCE) are a concern in susceptible individuals due to these factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate electrocardiographic (ECG) changes following simulated live-firefighting.
- To assess if these ECG changes indicate an increased risk of SCE in firefighters.
Main Methods:
- A repeated measures design was employed.
- Electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings were recorded from 32 firefighters.
- ECG data were collected 12 hours post-firefighting and compared to a 12-hour control period.
Main Results:
- Ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 20% of firefighters 12 hours after firefighting.
- ST segment changes, indicative of myocardial ischemia, were present in 16% of firefighters.
- These ECG abnormalities were not detected during the control period.
Conclusions:
- Live-firefighting induces significant ECG changes, including ventricular arrhythmias and ST segment changes.
- These changes may suggest myocardial ischemia and increased cardiovascular risk.
- Further research is warranted to explore the implications of these ECG findings on firefighter cardiovascular health.
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