Yes, Shoveling Snow Really Can Give You a Heart Attack.
You may have heard of cases of heart attacks in people—especially older people—due to snow shoveling. This is a real risk for many, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle and have certain health conditions. Here’s a brief overview of what’s so dangerous about snow shoveling and who is most at risk.
Snow removal is a strenuous physical exercise.
The link between snow shoveling and heart disease is real: the American Heart Association cites several studies finding higher rates of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death after snowfalls. Snow shoveling is strenuous work and can lead to significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate compared to levels considered safe for sedentary people with heart disease. Low temperatures also appear to increase the likelihood of chest pain, possibly because arteries can constrict in the cold.
Who should consult a doctor before shoveling snow?
You may have heard the advice to consult a doctor before starting an exercise program. You can find more information on this here : Most people don’t need to consult a doctor, but it depends on your medical history and whether you plan to engage in intense physical activity.
Since snow shoveling is intense physical activity, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with these recommendations. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or kidney disease and don’t currently engage in intense exercise, you should consult your doctor before starting. This applies to running, CrossFit, or shoveling six inches of snow from your driveway.
Pushing a snowblower also counts.
Surprisingly, the same warnings about shoveling snow apply to using a snowblower. It turns out that shoveling snow with a snowblower is also a significant physical effort, even though it should theoretically be easier since the machine does some of the work.
How to reduce your risk of heart attack
In a press release from the American Heart Association, a cardiologist who is the lead author of a paper on the risks of exercise recommends that certain people avoid shoveling snow on their own. These include:
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People who have had bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty.
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People who have already had a heart attack or stroke
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Current and former smokers
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People with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
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People leading a sedentary lifestyle
Obviously, advice from an online article is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor, so please seek the advice of actual medical professionals. Even if you’re healthy enough to find snow shoveling relatively safe, you can still take a few precautions to make the task easier . Incidentally, while snowblowing is strenuous, it’s generally easier on the body than shoveling. And if you absolutely must shovel, pushing the shovel is easier than repeatedly lifting it.
I’d add that shoveling snow multiple times during a single snowfall is a real godsend. Instead of waiting for 15 centimeters of snow to fall, shovel it when there’s only 5 centimeters, and it’ll be a breeze. Repeat this process two more times, and you’ll have a clear driveway without having to wrestle with ankle-deep snow.
Finally, pay attention to how you feel while shoveling snow and stop if you feel unwell. Or, as the American Heart Association recommends: “If you experience chest pain or pressure, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or an irregular heartbeat, stop shoveling immediately. Call 911 if symptoms do not resolve shortly after shoveling snow.”