Relationships Between Physiological Stress Biomarkers and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Career Firefighters.

Gonzalez, Drew E; Coles, Macilynn E; Tanksley, Peter T; M Hunter, Martaindale; Martin, Steven E; McAllister, Matthew J · J Occup Environ Med · 2025

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

The present study examined novel and classic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among career firefighters to understand better the associations between physiological stress, oxidative stress, inflammation biomarkers, and CVD risk. Associations between muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measures, body composition, physiological stress, and novel/classic CVD risk factors were assessed among 97 career male firefighters. Muscular fitness/CRF, adiposity, body composition, and blood lipids were associated with CVD risk as measured by biomarkers for insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress. No associations between physiological stress biomarkers and CVD risk factors were found. Firefighters should improve their muscular fitness/CRF and body composition to reduce CVD risk.

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