Law enforcement officers can experience undue stress while doing their jobs. That’s why Westchester Medical Center (WMC) is partnering with the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association Surgeons Group to offer heart disease exams to state troopers through its Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program.
Police officers may face a risk of cardiac death up to 70 times higher than normal when involved in stressful situations, according to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health. They are also 25 times more likely to die of a heart attack than to be killed by a perpetrator during active duty. Even during training, officers can face a risk of cardiac death 25 times higher than during more routine duties, the study said.
Angelica Poniros, director of Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Services at Westchester Medical Center, said the goal of the program is to offer cardiovascular disease screenings to uncover potential heart conditions that might result in heart attacks and strokes.
“Keeping our law enforcement personnel safe is a priority for us at Westchester Medical Center. When these men and women are engaged in high-adrenaline situations, we want them to do so with confidence in their heart health. Our mission is to screen officers for potential risk factors that could lead to arrhythmias, coronary artery disease or even heart failure. We aim to ensure they are in good health and know how to prevent heart disease in the future,” said Poniros.
New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association President Charles W. Murphy said: “New York State Troopers are hardwired to put others first, but we can’t fulfill that mission if we don’t prioritize our own health. The PBA Surgeons Group is proud to partner with Westchester Medical Center to provide our members with access to cardiac wellness care. Early detection is critical to identifying heart issues and developing a regimen that ensures troopers stay healthy for their families and the New Yorkers who rely on them. We encourage our members — and the general public — to seek out preventative care before potential health problems turn serious.”
Robert Timmermans, M.D., the program’s lead cardiologist, said that troopers would undergo complete screening exams, diagnostic imaging testing and follow-up, including ECG and bloodwork. Troopers would also have access to consultations with dietitians, smoking cessation and other healthy lifestyle programs.
“I speak for all my colleagues when I say we are committed to the health and well-being of our community’s law enforcement officers. Through our comprehensive cardiovascular screenings, we aim to detect potential heart issues early and provide the necessary care to prevent serious health problems…..” said Timmermans.
The State Trooper Surgeons program has established relationships and communication protocols with nearly every hospital in New York. Over 3,600 medical providers have partnered with it to ensure the mission is met.
