Why the study?
To provide an understanding of sudden cardiac death, cardiovascular risk factors, and unique occupational stressors among tactical athletes, specifically first responders.
First responders face unique occupational stressors and underdiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors that contribute to sudden cardiac death, highlighting the need for standardized medical and fitness screening.
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Supports heightened SCD awareness in first responders; leaves open targeted prevention trials in this population.
To provide the reader with an understanding of sudden cardiac death (SCD), cardiovascular risk factors, and unique occupational stressors among tactical athletes, herein referring specifically to first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. Tactical athletes experience SCD at increasing rates with age with the highest risks observed during strenuous emergency responses. Cardiovascular risk factors are often underdiagnosed and inadequately managed, compounded by unique occupational exposures that may contribute to SCD risk. Pre-employment and periodic medical and fitness screening requirements vary widely across tactical athlete communities and employers/jurisdictions. Additional research is required to better elucidate SCD rates and risk mitigation strategies among this population to optimize first responder health and ensure public safety. Collaboration and advocacy are essential to establish minimum medical and fitness screening requirements and to implement these standards broadly across all tactical athlete communities.
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Phillips et al. (2025) studied this question.
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