The Chandler City Council approved a $108,000 agreement Oct. 17 with Sigma Tactical Wellness to advance the health and wellness of Chandler Police.

The program involves  screenings for early detection of heart disease and related conditions. More than 200 of Chandler’s police personnel have taken part in this voluntary health and wellness benefit, which addresses health risks specific to first responders.

The onsite cardiometabolic health screening program provides police personnel with a complete understanding of their current metabolic status and individual cardiovascular risk, including exercise and nutrition modification recommendations for their health and wellness. Sigma Tactical Wellness says that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of active and retired law enforcement officers.

Early detection has shown potential in eliminating the catastrophic effects of cardiac disease among first responders.

Sigma’s system evaluates early stages of coronary disease and markers used to predict the development of a heart attack. The cardiometabolic health screening incorporates medical evaluation, blood-based inflammatory biomarker detection, vascular imaging and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to identify early onset and late-stage coronary disease.

Any follow-up medical testing, consultations and care necessary to address a personal health condition are the responsibility of the employee under their personal health plan.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.