First Responder Cardiovascular Wellness Screening Program

Protect Your Health. Stay Ready to Serve.

First responders face significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events—the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths.

Our on-site screenings help detect silent risks early—so you can stay healthy, fit for duty, and ready when it matters most.

Because feeling fine doesn’t always mean everything is fine.

Why We Do What We Do: Protecting Those Who Protect Others

First responders dedicate their lives to protecting communities under some of the most physically and mentally demanding conditions possible. Long shifts, interrupted sleep, chronic stress, heat exposure, physical exertion, and high-adrenaline environments place significant strain on long-term cardiovascular health.

After years working alongside vascular surgeons and caring for patients with advanced vascular disease, we have seen firsthand how often serious medical conditions remain undetected until a major event occurs.

Many first responders do not discover underlying cardiovascular or vascular disease until they experience:

  • Stroke

  • Heart attack

  • Severe carotid artery disease

  • Circulation disorders

  • Hypertensive emergencies

  • Emergency vascular intervention or surgery

These events can impact not only career longevity, but also mobility, independence, family life, and long-term quality of life.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of on-duty firefighter deaths in the United States, and ongoing research continues to show elevated cardiovascular risk among first responder populations due to occupational stressors and demanding work environments.

Our mission is to help departments and organizations support proactive health awareness through accessible on-site cardiovascular and vascular screening programs designed specifically for first responders.

Why Early Screening Matters

  • Many cardiovascular conditions develop without symptoms

  • High-stress occupations can increase long-term cardiovascular risk

  • Early awareness may encourage earlier medical follow-up and intervention

  • Healthier personnel support stronger, more resilient departments

  • Preventive screening initiatives demonstrate investment in workforce wellbeing

Leading Cause of Line-of-Duty Deaths

Cardiac events remain the leading cause of death among first responders. The physical and emotional demands of the job place ongoing strain on the cardiovascular system—often without warning signs.

Leading Cause of Line-of-Duty Deaths

Cardiac-related events remain the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among first responders. The physical and emotional demands of these roles place significant strain on the cardiovascular system. Routine screenings can help identify risk factors early and support long-term health and readiness.
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A row of firefighter helmets and gear hanging on a wall.

How it Works

Simple. On-Site. Efficient.

  1. Contact us to create & schedule your screening event

  2. Programs are customized to fit your department’s needs

  3. We can provide a registration link for easy sign-up

  4. Our team arrives on-site and handles full setup

  5. Screenings are completed quickly and efficiently

  6. Cardiovascular screening reports provided same day

We manage the entire process from start to finish—making your event simple, efficient, and hassle-free.
Promotion is optional, but we’re happy to support your team with outreach if desired.

What We Screen

A healthcare professional using an ultrasound probe on a woman's neck during a medical examination in a clinical setting.

Carotid Artery Screening

  • What it evaluates:
    This ultrasound assesses blood flow in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.

    Why it matters:
    Plaque buildup in these arteries can develop silently and increase the risk of stroke. Early detection allows for intervention before symptoms occur.

    What to expect:
    A quick, non-invasive ultrasound scan performed on the neck with no discomfort or downtime.

Healthcare professional adjusting a yellow ankle blood pressure cuff on a patient's lower leg in a medical setting to perform an ankle/brachial index (ABI) test.

PVR/ABI (Circulation)

  • What it evaluates:
    This test measures blood flow in the legs using blood pressure cuffs and waveforms to assess circulation. It also checks the circulation within the small vessels of the toes which is critical for those who are diabetic or high risk.

    Why it matters:
    Reduced circulation may indicate peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Reduced circulation can lead to non-healing wounds and can lead up to amputation.

    What to expect:
    Simple, painless testing using cuffs placed on the arms, ankles, feet and toes—completed in just a few minutes.

Medical professional performing an abdominal ultrasound on a smiling woman.

Aorta (AAA) Screening

  • What it evaluates:
    An ultrasound of the abdominal aorta to check for enlargement or aneurysm. We look for aneurysm, dissection, and blockage.

    Why it matters:
    Abdominal aortic aneurysms often have no symptoms but can become life-threatening if they rupture. Screening helps detect issues early.

    What to expect:
    A non-invasive abdominal scan performed while lying comfortably, with no recovery time needed. A 4-6 hour fast is recommended for optimal evaluation.

ekg/ecg electrocardiogram

12-Lead EKG Screening

  • What it evaluates:
    This test records the electrical activity of the heart to assess rhythm and overall cardiac function.

    Why it matters:
    An EKG can help identify irregular heart rhythms or underlying cardiac concerns that may not present with symptoms.

    What to expect:
    Quick, painless test using small electrodes placed on the chest, arms, and legs—completed in minutes.

A young boy sleeps on a firefighter's shoulder outdoors during daytime, with the firefighter wearing a jacket that says 'FIRE & RESCUE.'

Why it Matters

Why Early Detection Matters

  • Many conditions develop without symptoms

  • Early detection can prevent life-threatening events

  • Supports long-term health and career longevity

  • Helps departments prioritize wellness and readiness

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Powered by ForgedWell

ForgedWell delivers cardiovascular wellness screenings designed specifically for first responders & high-risk professions.

Our mission is simple:
Detect risk early, improve outcomes, and protect those who protect others.

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Make it easy for your team to access life-saving health insights.

Bring Screenings to Your Department

Bring Screenings to Your Department

Serving Departments Across:

Cambria • Indiana • Blair • Somerset • Westmoreland • Huntingdon • Bedford Counties

Health is built, not waited on. Catch problems early. Act Now

Protect Your Crew: Screening Inquiry

Bring preventive cardiovascular screenings directly to your organization or community. We partner with you to deliver onsite cardiovascular screenings through structured, high-impact events.