Heart Under Fire
Advances in Cardiac Care for Sullivan County First Responders
[LIBERTY, NY] Sullivan County firefighters gathered recently at the Richard A. Martinkovic Public Safety Training Center for an in-depth discussion of the latest advances in cardiac care. Firefighters heard from Dr. Michael Argenziano, a nationally recognized leader in cardiac surgery and cardiovascular care and the Associate Chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center. This program was presented in collaboration between Sullivan 180, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and the Sullivan County Bureau of Fire.
Dr. Argenziano shared the latest advances in cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology, focusing on the cardiovascular conditions most commonly affecting firefighters and first responders. The program provided an overview of how heart disease is diagnosed and evaluated and offered insight into how rapidly evolving technologies are improving outcomes, shortening recovery times, and expanding treatment options for patients with complex cardiovascular disease. Dr. Argenziano also shared the risks of cardiovascular conditions for first responders, including exertion, heat, smoke exposure, and sleep disruption, and how these conditions can be prevented through exercise, sleep, good nutrition, and, most importantly, knowing your numbers.
“[The Healthiest Fire Department Challenge] has had real and consequential benefits for our firefighters and first-responders around Sullivan County,” said Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild. “These jobs, whether volunteer or paid, put a lot of stress on the human body, and we need to take care of ourselves and each other. I’m grateful and glad we’re focusing on this important aspect of emergency response.”
“At Sullivan 180, our mission is to build a healthy community one degree at a time. Everyone has a role to play, including those who dedicate themselves to protecting our communities,” said Nicole Blais, Sullivan 180 Outreach Coordinator. “Heart health is one of the most important health and wellness issues facing the fire service today, and this program was an opportunity to bring valuable information and resources directly to the people who serve others every day.”
Participants completed a project to identify which heart-healthy activities they regularly engage in, including going for a walk, limiting caffeine, getting quality sleep, laughing with friends, taking the stairs, stretching or working out, eating fruits and vegetables, and staying hydrated. Of all these choices, laughing with friends was the most popular activity, showing the importance of making time to connect.
For more information about Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the services provided at its Goshen office, visit www.columbiacardiology.org/orange. To learn more about the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge, visit www.sullivan180.org.