Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of LEOs – here’s how to protect yourself
Officers concerned about their health and well-being can now turn to this evaluation program for help
May 11, 2022 10:45 AM • Courtney Levin
Many consider law enforcement to be one of the most dangerous professions in the world, but being killed on the job isn’t what ends up taking lives too soon – it’s heart disease.
“Police officers are 25 times more likely to die of a heart attack than to be killed by the violent action of a suspect,” said Noel March, chief strategy officer at Sigma Tactical Wellness. “Those that have a heart attack, on average, are likely to have that heart attack at age 46. These are sobering numbers.”
It’s statistics like these that helped shape the mission behind Sigma, a company that partners with law enforcement agencies to evaluate the health and wellness of LEOs. Unlike a traditional physical, Sigma dives deep into each officer’s cardiovascular health and performs a series of tests that aid in creating an individualized plan.
Developed by doctors Jonathan Sheinberg and Benjamin Stone, the Sigma evaluation begins with an advanced lipid panel test and non-invasive imaging. A cardiopulmonary exercise stress test using a stationary bike comes next, and once the results are analyzed, a physician-developed diet and exercise program is created.
Sigma was formed in 2016, but the research behind the company’s foundation started long before that. Here’s how this testing process was conceived and why it’s making such a big difference in the law enforcement industry.
