Cardiovascular Care of Tactical Athletes: Have We Landed Yet?
When it comes to tactical operators — military, law enforcement, and first responders —cardiovascular care is still an evolving science. A recent open-access publication in JACC: Advances, titled “Cardiovascular Care of Tactical Athletes: Have We Landed Yet?” by Petek et al (2024), asks a critical question:
Have we truly arrived at evidence-based, tactical-specific cardiovascular protocols — or are we still circling the landing zone?
Where We Stand
While awareness of cardiovascular risk in tactical athletes has increased, standardized prevention and screening strategies remain inconsistent. Most existing protocols are borrowed from general population models and fail to account for the extreme physical and psychological demands these professionals endure.
Tactical operators face unique physiologic stressors including:
Sudden bursts of exertion
Extreme environmental exposure (heat, cold, altitude)
High gear load
Sleep disruption and shift work
Repetitive exposure to emotional and physical trauma
These aren’t weekend warriors—they’re athletes under fire.
What the Research Says
In their 2024 review, Petek and colleagues examined current research on cardiovascular health in tactical populations and uncovered significant data gaps.
While many tactical professionals appear fit, this does not guarantee cardiovascular safety. The review highlighted under-recognized risks such as:
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Arrhythmia susceptibility
Coronary plaque instability
The authors argue for the development of duty-specific cardiovascular protocols—ones that consider both performance capacity and survivability under operational stress.
Bridging the Gap Between Fitness and Readiness
Tactical readiness requires more than a normal EKG or passing a treadmill test. A real-world cardiac screening must account for the physiological storm of:
Full gear exertion
Emotional intensity
Environmental extremes
Adrenaline surges
Emerging areas of focus should include:
Dynamic fitness-for-duty standards
On-scene ECG interpretation
Hydration and electrolyte protocols
Recovery strategies tailored to shift work
Tactical Takeaways
Tactical operators are athletes. Screen and support them accordingly.
Environmental and operational stressors matter. Heat, sleep loss, and shift work increase cardiovascular risk.
Develop field-ready protocols. Include rapid cardiac assessment and extraction plans.
Build partnerships. Tactical teams need cardiovascular specialists engaged in training and data collection.
Why It Matters
Sudden cardiac events are a leading cause of line-of-duty death among firefighters and law enforcement officers. Adapting cardiovascular care for this population isn’t optional—it’s lifesaving.
This is exactly what SRT Heart Doc was built for:
Saving hearts under fire.
Works Cited
Petek, B. J., Patel, P. A., & Phillips, J. (2024). Cardiovascular care of tactical athletes: Have we landed yet? JACC: Advances, 3(2), 120–128.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11402179/
Medical Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor before starting any new health regimen or interpreting lab results. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
