Thanks to all those who have helped their neighbors with shoveling. The snow is more difficult to remove than I had imagined and I personally made embarrassingly little progress helping my neighbors. Temperatures are dropping fast now (Monday, 1/26, 5:20pm) and everyone needs to be careful. According to the American Heart Association, shoveling snow involves several risks for heart health.
Five ways snow shoveling affects heart health
- Snow shoveling involves mostly Isometric or static exertion that involves the contraction of muscles without any movement in the surrounding joints.
- The act of shoveling snow is mostly arm work, which is more taxing and demanding on the heart than leg work.
- While straining to lift heavy loads, such a shovelful of snow, you often unconsciously hold your breath, which causes big increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
- Since you are mostly standing still while shoveling, your legs are not moving much which results in pooling of blood in the lower extremities, so it is not getting back to the heart which needs the oxygenated blood.
- Breathing/exposure to cold air causes constriction of blood vessels throughout the body, disproportionately raising blood pressure and simultaneously constricting the coronary arteries (which are about the size of cooked spaghetti).
Tips for Safe Shoveling
- If you have known or suspected heart disease or risk factors for heart disease, get someone else to do your snow removal for you!
- If you must shovel the snow, start gradually and pace yourself. Always cover your mouth and nose, wear layered clothing, as well as a hat and gloves.
- Ideally, push or sweep the snow rather than lifting and throwing it, that action involves a little less exertion.
- Be extra careful when the wind is blowing, the wind makes the temperature feel even colder than it is and will increase the effects of the cold on your body.
- Use an automated snow blower rather than shoveling. While you should still proceed with caution and be mindful of how your body is feeling, research shows that using a snow blower raises the heart rate to around 120, compared to a heart rate of around 170 experienced while shoveling.
Does anyone in this part of the country own a snowblower?
Common Heart Attack Signs
- Chest pain or pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Heart palpitations
- Irregular heart rhythms
