Coronary Artery Calcium Status, Body Composition, Blood Lipids, and Fitness Among Firefighters Participating in a Health and Wellness Program

Sanchez, KJ, Baruch, T, Ross, KA, Coburn, JW, Costa, PB, Orr, RM, Dawes, JJ, and Lockie, RG. Coronary artery calcium status, body composition, blood lipids, and fitness among firefighters participating in a health and wellness program. J Strength Cond Res 40(1): e95-e103, 2026-Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent among firefighters. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) can contribute to the identification of CVD risk, but there has been limited analysis in firefighters. This study investigated body composition, blood lipid, and fitness test differences in firefighters with normal (CAC-N) and abnormal (CAC-A) CAC. Relationships between these health and fitness variables and CAC status were also derived. Archival data from 45 male firefighters were examined. Data included age, height, body mass, body mass index, body fat mass, lean body mass, waist-to-hip ratio, blood lipids (triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol), grip strength, vertical jump (VJ), plank, push-ups, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and estimated maximal aerobic capacity (V̇ o2 max). Firefighters were screened and grouped as CAC-N (CAC = 0; n = 35) and CAC-A (CAC > 0; n = 10). Independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U -tests determined between-group differences. Pearson's correlations determined relationships between the binary variable of CAC status with the other variables. There were no significant between-group differences in any variable. The CAC-N group had a lower systolic BP than the CAC-A group, with a moderate effect ( p = 0.080, d = 0.893). Systolic BP also correlated with CAC status ( r = 0.355; p = 0.017). The CAC-N group had 9-14% better VJ and V̇ o2 max than the CAC-A group, which had small effects ( p = 0.050-0.110, d = 0.555-0.584). Body composition, blood lipids, and fitness generally did not differentiate or relate to CAC status. Apparently fit and healthy firefighters may have underlying CVD risk factors such as higher CAC. Health and wellness programs should be multifaceted, including exercise and medical screening.