Most cops worry about the dangers they face on duty, but few realize the biggest threat might come long after the uniform is hung up. Heart disease is taking our officers too soon, and in many cases, they never saw it coming. 

Research has shown that law enforcement officers live, on average, 20 years less than civilians. The two leading causes of death are suicide and heart disease. What makes cardiac issues particularly alarming is the age at which they strike. In the civilian population, the average heart attack happens at 65. For officers, it’s closer to 46, and that number keeps dropping. 

Studies show that nearly 71% of officers who died before the average civilian life expectancy died from cardiac causes. That means the majority of preventable deaths in law enforcement are not line-of-duty incidents, but hidden heart disease. 

 

iamsigma

Hold the Line: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Law Enforcement Relationship. 

The Top 10 Things Every Law Enforcement Spouse Should Know