U of Ill. studies stress on firefighters

CHAMPAIGN — Researchers at the University of Illinois say they're learning more about the toll the high stress work of firefighting can take on the human heart.

In a study published in the journal Vascular Medicine, researchers say three hours of firefighting stiffens arteries in even young firefighters.

The News-Gazette in Champaign reports (http://bit.ly/pDfiYf) researchers Gavin Horn of the Illinois Fires Service Institute and kinesiology professor Bo Fernhall found that the damage was likely the result of a combination of stresses.

A 2007 study conducted at Harvard University found that firefighters are up to 100 times more at risk for a heart attack when they are fighting a fire than when they're not.

Fernhall says researchers will look at whether firefighters can take baby aspirin before emergency calls to lower their risk.