A Veteran Firefighter Puts His Heart First

How BIDMC Is Closing the Gap in Firefighter Heart Health

Coming close to stepping off the flat roof of a burning building would make anyone’s blood pressure skyrocket, but for Glen, it was just part of the job. Risky, yes, but as a member of Boston Fire, he went wherever his engine was called. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had. It’s very stressful, but it’s like a brotherhood; we look out for each other,” he commented recently.

Over nearly 30 years as a firefighter and first responder, Glen had tended to countless medical emergencies. These days, he noted, medical calls outnumber fires. As retirement approached, he began thinking more seriously about his own health.

In the fall of 2025, a flyer for the new BIDMC Cardiac Screening Program for Boston Fire caught his eye. It seemed like a helpful addition to the regular care he receives from Geoffrey Modest, MD, at the Bowdoin St. Health Center. “I’m getting older, and I’m trying to make sure I’ve got my bases covered,” said Glen.

The program gives BFD firefighters with potential cardiac abnormalities direct access to a team of BIDMC cardiologists for in-depth consultation, testing, and treatment. It launched in 2025 under the leadership of Eli V. Gelfand, MD, FACC, and is staffed by Lucas Marinacci, MD, Christian Mewaldt, MD, Scott Laine, and Sue Deberardinis, RN. Dr. Gelfand knew there were cancer screening programs for BFD members, but there were no dedicated heart-health resources. BIDMC stepped up to fill the gap.

Working with District Fire Chief Jose Estrella and Deputy Chief Joseph D. Shea of the Boston Fire Department’s Safety, Health and Wellness Division, Dr. Gelfand created a smooth pathway for firefighters concerned about findings on their comprehensive screening. They can now access heart-health care quickly and directly through one of BIDMC’s cardiologists, receiving a timely diagnosis and treatment plan. Dr. Gelfand reflects that this rapid access to a knowledgeable and caring general cardiologist has been "met with incredible appreciation from the firefighters and their families. Firefighters have come into the clinic in person but have also been able to take advantage of telehealth appointments from home, the firehouse, and even once, from a fire engine parked in the station garage.”

Glen appreciated how easy it was to get an appointment. He began seeing cardiologist Christian Mewaldt, MD, who has extensive experience treating a wide range of cardiac conditions, including complex hypertension. While he knew he had hypertension, the series of tests at BIDMC revealed a surprising possible cause: primary aldosteronism, a condition in which the adrenal glands overproduce aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium and blood pressure. “It’s a condition that often goes undiagnosed. When it is identified, we can often provide targeted treatments that considerably improve blood pressure control and require fewer medications,” Dr. Mewaldt explained.

In consultation with Dr. Modest, they discussed Glen’s rising blood pressure and suggested a new medication to bring it down. “I was in stroke or heart attack territory before the medication,” Glen said. Indeed, he learned that his heart has an abnormally thickened muscle, which may be the result of his severe hypertension. It could also be a sign of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic condition that thickens the heart’s walls and reduces its ability to pump blood effectively. To confirm, he is undergoing additional testing at the BIDMC HCM Clinic.

A year from now, Glen plans to move to Florida. He doesn’t want anything to stand between him and long-planned days in the sun and beach trips with his wife. He’s grateful that he found the BIDMC Cardiac Screening Program and encourages other eligible firefighters to get screened as well. “Early intervention is important. My team is really looking out for me.”