9/11 First Responders Have Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Researchers have discovered that increased rates of sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first responders to the U.S. World Trade Center attacks on November 11, 2001, are resulting in an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The preliminary findings for two studies assessing cardiovascular disease risk among 9/11 first responders were presented at the American Heart Association's 2014 Scientific Sessions in San Francisco, CA.

Cardiologist Dr. Mary Ann McLaughlin, a principle investigator for the WTC-CHEST Program at Mount Sinai, presented the results of the two studies on Friday, explaining to her peers that exposure to a massive dust cloud containing high levels of smoke, glass fibers, and cement and heavy metal dust at Ground Zero resulted in increased chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea among 9/11 first responders. The psychological impact of that tragic day also resulted increased risk of developing PTSD among emergency crews.

"As a result, this puts our 9/11 first responders at higher risk of developing heart disease," McLaughlin said during her presentation.

To determine this, research teams studied more than 800 participants who had been exposed to the initial conditions of Ground Zero when first responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. According to McLaughlin, the researchers took into account the time of arrival of each responder, as well as duration of exposure to Ground Zero air conditions.

According to McLaughlin, the studies found conclusive evidence that elevated levels of Ground Zero exposure resulted in a correlative increased chance of developing sleep apnea -- a well-known contributor to an increased risk of heart disease.

Another findings showed that rescuers positively diagnosed with PTSD had elevated biomarkers for an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The full details of these findings are slated to be published in scientific peer-review journals at a later date, and until that point, any reported findings should be viewed as preliminary.

A press release concerning details of the presentation was published on March 20.

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