NJ Cops Feb2019 | Page 76

Sponsored article from an NJ Cops Magazine Advertiser Be kind to your heart The men and women who wear a badge are often taught to be tough, in control and on the lookout for the welfare of others. These are wonderful attributes, but they can take a toll. The stress of law enforcement can be hard on the heart. While February is the month of love, it’s also Heart Month — a reminder that we need to take care of our hearts so that we will be around to cele- brate many more Valentine’s Days with our loved ones. Don’t think that a heart attack can’t hap- pen to you; working odd shifts, respond- ing to incidents and crashes and subduing suspects comes with a physical cost. A Ca- reerCast survey ranks policing as one of the most stressful jobs in the U.S., while anoth- er study found that the risk of suffering a heart attack escalates by 70 percent during dangerous activities like: • Altercations/suspect restraining • Pursuits • Physical training • Rescue operations It’s estimated that sudden cardiac deaths account for 10 percent of all on-duty U.S. police deaths. The study concluded that 76 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2019 law enforcement agencies need to do more to promote fitness and health programs to reduce officers’ risk of heart attacks. Warning signs So, what are the warning signs and risk factors? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says these are the three ma- jor risk factors for heart disease: 1. High blood pressure 2. High LDL cholesterol 3. Smoking These other medical conditions and life- style choices also put people at a higher risk: • Diabetes • Obesity and being overweight • Poor diet • Physical inactivity • Excessive alcohol use Pay attention to these primary warning signs of a heart attack: • Chest pain or discomfort • Upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or upper stomach • Shortness of breath • Nausea, lightheadedness or cold sweats And women are not immune to heart disease. While the incident rates of heart-related deaths have declined steadi- ly for men, the rates for women have fallen more slowly. Recommendations An article on Officer.com discussed the risk of heart attacks for law enforcement officers and offered these prevention tips: • Quit smoking • Maintain a healthy cholesterol level and know your number • Control blood pressure • Do regular exercise • Get adequate sleep • Maintain a healthy weight • Improve your diet • Manage stress • Use aspirin therapy • Reduce alcohol intake Taking steps now to reduce the stress on your cardiovascular system can make a world of difference for you and your family. This article was furnished by California Casualty, serving law enforcement officers since 1969 and providing auto and home insurance to NJSPBA members. Learn more or get a quote at www.calcas.com/njspba.