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FIRE FIGHTERS AND

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

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High Blood Pressure Facts

• Approximately 73 million Americans have high blood pressure,* also known as hypertension—that’s nearly 1 in 3 adults1

• Nearly 1 in 3 American adults with high blood pressure do not know they have high blood pressure1

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with a higher risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke2

• High blood pressure is among the most treatable types of cardiovascular disease1

*High blood pressure is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher

1.American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2008 Update. High Blood Pressure. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=21. Accessed May 5, 2008.2. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR et al. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. JAMA. 2003.

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What Is Blood Pressure?

• Normal blood pressure in most healthy adults is <120/80 mmHg1

• People with blood pressures of 120-139/80-89 mmHg have prehypertension, which indicates a high risk for developing high blood pressure1

• Uncontrolled blood pressure measured at ≥140/90 mmHg on at least 2 occasions indicates high blood pressure2

• Remember—blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher damages blood vessels and makes the heart work harder2

1. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR et al. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. JAMA. 2003.

2. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2007 Update. High Blood Pressure. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=21. Accessed May 5, 2008.

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Fire Fighters at Risk

• Heart disease, particularly cardiac arrest and heart attack, is the leading cause of on-duty death among fire fighters1

• 45 percent of on-duty fire fighter deaths are caused by heart disease each year1

• A study of on-duty cardiovascular deaths in fire fighters showed high blood pressure—presumably uncontrolled—was one of the contributing factors2

• Another study showed 74 percent of fire fighters with high blood pressure do not have it adequately controlled3

• High blood pressure is a warning sign that should not be ignored

1. Kales SN, Soteriades ES, Christophi CA, Christiani DC. Emergency Duties and Deaths from Heart Disease among Firefighters in the United States. NEJM. 2007;356:1207-1215.

2. Geibe, Jesse R., et al Predictors of On-Duty Coronary Events in Male Firefighters in the United States. The American Journal of Cardiology, 2008 101:588

3. Soteriades ES, Kales SN, Liarokapis D, Christiani DC. Prospective Surveillance of Hypertension in Firefighters. J Clin Hypertension. 2003;5:315-321.

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Causes of On-Duty Death for Fire Fighters

Federal Emergency Management Agency. United States Fire Administration. National Fire Data Center. Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study. FA-220. April 2002.

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The IAFF Commitment to You

• The IAFF has identified the need to build awareness about high blood pressure among fire fighters, their families, and their communities.

• Working together with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a leader in the development of high blood pressure products, resources, and support tools, the IAFF is helping members better manage high blood pressure.

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Program Goals

Program goals are to:• Educate fire fighters about the importance of effectively

managing high blood pressure.• Provide patients with hypertension information about

high blood pressure prevention and treatment.• Motivate members to have their blood pressure

measured regularly.• Help fire department physicians/fire surgeons

and primary care physicians understand the importance of high blood pressure management among fire fighters.

• Help IAFF affiliates educate their communities about high blood pressure.

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The Program

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STOP DROP CONTROL High Blood Pressure™ (HBP)

• The STOP • DROP • CONTROL HBP program is consistent with the goals of the IAFF Wellness-Fitness Initiative, and is a comprehensive campaign to manage high blood pressure in fire fighters, their families, and members of their communities. It also serves to reinforce awareness of high blood pressure in fire fighters among their fire department physicians, fire surgeons, and primary care physicians.

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How is the Program Organized?

• Materials are developed for each of these groups

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STOP DROP CONTROL High Blood Pressure™ (HBP)

Program Material Overview

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Local President Materials

• Template Letters• Labor/Management Shared Objectives Statement• Novartis Contact Sheet• Public Support Tool • Program Overview Brochure • Implementation Guide • Posters for Display at the Firehouse• High Blood Pressure Awareness Flyer• Program Materials Order Form

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Fire Fighter Materials

• Strategies for Managing High Blood Pressure and Achieving a Healthier Lifestyle

• Blood Pressure Wallet Diary• Chart Stickers• www.iaff.org/hs/fts web site

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Fire Fighter/Family Materials

• High blood pressure awareness communications• The Inside Story on High Blood Pressure• High blood pressure screening events• Health fairs

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Fire Department Physician/Fire Surgeon and Primary Care Physician Materials

• Fire Department Physician/Fire Surgeon and Primary Care Physician Brochure

• Extended Medical Team Brochure• Fire Department Physician/Fire Surgeon and

Primary Care Physician Awareness Letter• Patient Chart Stickers• Hypertension

Dialogues Flip Chart• Hypertension

Dialogues Tear Pad

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Community Materials

• Community Awareness Posters for display in the community

• High blood pressure screening events and health fairs – dates, times, and goals

• High Blood Pressure Brochure• Community outreach materials

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STOP DROP CONTROL High Blood Pressure™ (HBP)

An Opportunity for Our Members!Questions? Call 1-877-352-6474 EXT 29111, e-mail stop.dropcontrol@novartis.com

or visit www.iaff.org/hs/fts for program details.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation East Hanover, New Jersey 07936-1080 © 2008 Novartis CUS-900775-A 12/08