Has the frequency of heart attacks and cancers for firefighters decreased, remained the same or increased since Covid vaccines?
Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!
First heart attack 2019
You are wasting my time.
What is the deal?
From what I’ve read, about the same.
There are a lot of factors; exposures to toxins, stress of the job, stress of trauma, reluctance to seek help, they say shift work and infrequent or disrupted sleep and eating patterns contribute to it as well.
Generally speaking, firefighters, and most other professionals are eating better and are exercising more. If calls allow, we have our mornings dedicated to maintenance and physical training. The department encourages seeking help and removing the stigma for doing so.
What I’ve noticed is I can control my heart rate quite well during normal PT, walking, running, stair climbing, lifting, etc. I can do a ton and for a long time. It’s the rapid varied things firefighters do that upsets me controlling my breathing and heart rate. When I’m gearing up, dragging hose, masking, making entry, it’s unlike anything I’ve yet been able to replicate in the gym. Add to that urgency and adrenaline and it’s a recipe for hurting yourself. I have to make a conscious effort to slow myself, control myself, and create conditions for a maintainable HR. I go in on days off and gear up and put on the breathing apparatus and climb stairs, drag tires, etc, back to back, switching off.
There are guys in better shape than I who drop from heart issues. But I can’t live fretting about it. Just do my best and press on and try to be of some value. I’d rather drop from that than retired in front of the TV.
I’m certain the firefighter in the article was super stressed with the career change and family. It’s funny how we can handled some pretty awful stuff, seemingly thrive on it, but basic everyday survivability can eat me up. Being homeless scares me far more than anything I’ve done as a firefighter or Marine. I don’t think I would have dealt well with what this firefighter had to deal with.