The study by LSU Health Shreveport found firefighters are at greater risk of atrial fibrillation due to sleep apnea, uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and environmental pollution.

The study published in the American Heart Association found that the more working fires firefighters responded to, the higher the risk for A-Fib, KTBS 3 reported.

In addition, after adjusting for risk factors, for every five fires fought yearly there is a 14% increase of A-Fib according to the research.

The increase is in part due to the byproducts of fire released along with physiological factors while crews are fighting fires.

Dr. Paari Dominic noted in addition to the chemicals of combustion, firefighters heart rates and adrenaline soar during fires, and fluid levels drop leading to dehydration.

Dr. Dominic would like to see manufactures create lighter and easier to use PPE to wear during overhaul operations were firefighters often shed bulky equipment and are still at risk.