Among firefighters who suffered fatal cardiac events, what percentage had preexisting cardiovascular conditions?

• A. 25%
• B. 100%
• C. 75%
• D. 50%

Answer: (C)

A large portion of fatal cardiac events among firefighters occur in people who already have cardiovascular issues, so the heart is more likely to struggle under the stress of firefighting. The data reflected by this item show that about three-quarters of those who die from cardiac causes had preexisting cardiovascular conditions. That highlights why medical screenings, ongoing fitness testing, and careful fitness-for-duty decisions are so important. It’s not a hundred percent, since not every fatal case has a known preexisting condition, and it’s not a smaller or larger fraction like 50% or 25%—the best-supported number is 75%, indicating a strong, but not universal, link to preexisting heart conditions.