Researchers seek cause of firefighters' heart attacks

Denise Smith

Patricia Fehling and Denise Smith, professors of exercise science at Skidmore, have received nearly $1 million from the Department of Homeland Security's Emergency Management Agency to learn why heart attack–and not burns, smoke, or falls–is the leading cause of death among firefighters.

As part of their two-year study, the scholars enlisted the help of the Oxnard, Calif., Fire Department to discover when firefighters are most vulnerable to heart attacks, what kind of fitness would help, and whether exercise is enough to prevent them.

Adam Foxman of The Ventura County Star reported on the research. Click here to read his story.