Cardiovascular Disease: Heart Failure and Nonischemic Cardiomyopathies

Introduction

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) with known cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be capable of safe and effective job performance. However, LEOs with CVD (or CVD risk factors) are at increased risk for sudden incapacitation, jeopardizing their ability to perform critical job functions (see also LEO chapter on Essential Job Functions). Therefore, an individualized assessment of the LEO is needed to ensure safe and effective job performance.

The person conducting the evaluation must be familiar with the following: 

• the physiologic demands of the critical job functions;
• CVD and its management; and
• the risk for sudden incapacitation associated with CVD conditions and CVD risk factors.