Perils in a Winter Wonderland

Is Snow Shoveling Safe for You?

The story is all too common. It might have happened to a neighbor, friend, distant relative, a close family member, or even you - an exercise in clearing snow could trigger a heart attack.

Tragically, an estimated 1,200 deaths annually are due to heart attacks precipitated by snow shoveling. But how does a seemingly simple chore turn into an event that could change a loved one’s life?

The answer is three fold.  The factors of cold air, strenuous lifting and high energy expenditure can contribute to a stress on a person’s cardiovascular system.  Cold temperatures in combination with strenuous exercise can increase blood pressure and heart rate elevating the risk for a heart attack.

In addition to the body’s response, shoveling snow is surprisingly hard work.  For instance did you know that:

• Snow shoveling requires about the same energy as an active round of singles tennis or speed walking at five m.p.h.

• The average weight of a shovel loaded with heavy, wet snow is about 16 pounds at a brisk pace, a person could shovel almost 2,000 pounds of snow in 10 minutes!

These are not conditions an elderly person or someone at risk for a heart attack should be exposed too.

The medical evidence is clear; snow shoveling can put a tremendous strain on the heart, inducing rhythm disturbances, decreasing oxygen supply to the heart or increasing blood pressure.
For all these reasons, the physicians at Midwest Heart Specialists advise you to take appropriate precautions when shoveling snow (see side bar) and to speak with your physician before beginning any moderate to high activity routines.

Heart Smart Tips for Snow Shoveling

• Complete a warm-up routine before shoveling in the cold.

• Dress warmly in layers and use a scarf to cover mouth and nose.

• If possible, use a snow blower with an electric start; avoid shovels.

• Do not shovel when it is bitterly cold.

• Do not shovel when there is more than a light dusting of snow on the ground.

• Use a small shovel to avoid lifting too much weight.

• Take your time shoveling, in order to keep minimize the strain on your heart.

• Talk to your physician about your ability to tolerate this activity.