Cardiac health and fitness of Colorado male/female firefighters

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is documented as the leading cause of mortality in on-duty firefighters. Aims To examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components, cardiorespiratory fitness levels and the association between them in firefighters in Colorado, USA. Methods This study included male and female Colorado firefighters. MetS was identified where three or more metabolic abnormalities were present, using Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Cardiorespiratory fitness (indicated by VO2 max) was evaluated with the Bruce protocol. Poisson regression was conducted to examine the association between MetS components and VO2 max. Results Among the 947 male and 76 female study subjects, MetS was present in 9% of all firefighters, in 5% of females and 10% of males. The mean age was 37 +/- 10 years. MetS prevalence increased with age (from 3% at age <30 to 17% at 50 and older, data not shown). In addition, 35% had one and 19% had two abnormal MetS components and 49% of participants did not meet the minimum recommended VO2 max of 42.0 ml/kg/min. VO2 max was negatively associated with abnormal MetS components (incident rate ratios = 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.94 -0.96, P < 0.001). Conclusions About one in 10 of these Colorado firefighters had MetS and nearly half had insufficient cardiorespiratory fitness. Comprehensive CVD risk management and cardiorespiratory fitness improvement are essential for firefighter health and safety.