Firefighters’ jobs put them at increased risk of heart attack

Exposure to heat and the physical exertion required to control a fire is putting firefighters at risk of heart attack, research suggests.

A study funded by the British Heart Foundation found that tackling fires puts a strain on the heart, increases blood clotting and worsens the function of blood vessels.

Previous work has shown that firefighters have the highest risk of heart attack of all emergency services. A heart attack is the leading cause of death for on-duty firefighters and they tend to suffer cardiac arrests at a younger age than the general population.