Cardiac rehabilitation testing of a high-intensity performance athlete firefighter after myocardial infarction, placement of stents and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Firefighters have one of the most stressful, physically demanding jobs to perform across the emergency services field and often suffer from job-related health conditions. A firefighter from California contacted our Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital cardiac rehabilitation program with the hope of returning to work after myocardial infarction, placement of stents, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. He underwent high-intensity performance testing (HIPT) developed for firefighters seeking to return to duty after cardiac events. The information gathered from the HIPT allowed the firefighter to be medically managed, return to duty, and remain active in rock climbing and his firefighting profession for the past 2 years.