Choosing the career path of a first responder often comes with intense pressure and stress. In the line of duty, careful decisions must be made quickly in order to save lives. Sometimes, this level of responsibility can lead to health consequences, and the causes of heart disease in Florida first responders are often career-related.
When your work manifests into a health concern, you face not only a medical crisis that threatens your livelihood, but also a complicated legal battle against local insurance adjusters who may try to classify your occupational injury as a personal health failure. Talk to a dedicated heart disease attorney at Bichler & Longo, and we can help you understand the root cause of your health concerns and determine your next steps.
Common causes of heart health issues in first responders include, but are not limited to, extreme heat stress and dehydration, inhalation of fireground toxins, and circadian rhythm disruption. Extreme heat stress and dehydration in the line of duty may lead to heart issues. Operating in oppressive Florida heat, especially for firefighters in heavy, restrictive personal protective equipment, rapidly elevates your core body temperature. This leads to dehydration, which can thicken the blood and force the heart to pump dangerously fast.
Inhalation of fireground toxins is also a common cause of heart disease for first responders. Exposure to toxic smoke, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and ultra-fine particulate matter creates widespread systemic inflammation. Carbon monoxide binds to your hemoglobin, directly starving your heart muscle of vital oxygen during a period of maximum exertion.
The nature of the job may also lead to circadian rhythm disruption. Unpredictable, rotating 24-hour shift schedules can disrupt your natural sleep cycles. This chronic sleep deprivation prevents the cardiovascular system from undergoing its natural nighttime blood pressure drop, leading to chronic hypertension.
State law provides a special legal remedy designed to assist first responders. If you are a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or a corrections officer with heart disease, the Heart and Lung Statute, under Florida Statute § 112.18(1)(a), presumes your condition was suffered in the line of duty, provided you pass a pre-employment physical examination that shows no evidence of heart concerns.
This applies even if your condition manifests outside of working hours. For example, if you suffer a heart attack while at home or on vacation, the law still considers your condition to have stemmed from your working conditions. The statute requires that you receive an official medical diagnosis of heart health issues, such as coronary artery disease or arrhythmias.
Causes of heart disease in Florida first responders are often triggered by the intensity of the job. At Bichler & Longo, we value the work you do for others and are dedicated to providing legal solutions in your time of need.
You do not have to face the aftermath of a heart disease diagnosis alone. Give us a call today for your free case evaluation.