tampa – The country’s 2 million firefighters and law enforcement officers are at a disproportionate risk of developing early-onset, life-threatening illnesses caused by their diet.

Firefighters are three times more likely to experience a cardiovascular event than civilian employees, while law enforcement officers experience their first heart attack nearly 20 years earlier than the general public.

Step One Foods, a cardiologist-led company dedicated to improving heart health through nutrition, is a leader in the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. Through our participation in the National Call to Action, we are committed to helping first responders reduce these risks. Reduce diet-related illnesses.

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“People think firefighters die from smoke inhalation or injuries on the job, and they do. But the number one reason firefighters die is heart disease. “You die from a heart attack. And you’re way ahead of your time,” he said. Elizabeth Clodus, Step One Foods Cardiologist. “These are the people who take care of us every day. We need to do a better job of taking care of them.”

The St. Pete police officer and union president of the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association said the demanding job causes many problems related to diet.

“On days when you get 20 calls during a 10-hour shift, you might not have time to sit there and eat a balanced meal and go to the microwave and heat up some leftover chicken. or gas station, shove a Snickers in your mouth and answer the next call,” said Officer John Vasquez with the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association.

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Vazquez also talked about how high levels of stress and an increase or decrease in heart rate over many years can contribute to heart attacks.

Dr. Clodus told FOX 13, “It is possible to significantly improve your cholesterol levels in 30 days.” One of her patients, a Minnesota fire chief, also had a message for his fellow law enforcement officers.

“We’re in this profession to support each other and care for each other. It seems to me that this is the place to start helping each other find the next path. Years of career “Life in retirement. It’s all possible if we just take care of ourselves in a different way,” said St. Louis Park Fire Chief Steve Kohling.

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