healthy living
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learing sidewalks and drive-
ways of snow may be essential
to keep from being shut in;
however, it’s important to use caution
when picking up a shovel or starting the
snowblower. Research shows that many
people face an increased risk of a heart
attack or sudden cardiac arrest after
shoveling heavy snow.

In fact, snow shoveling is among the
physical activities that may place extra
stress on the heart, especially among
people who aren’t used to regular
exercise, according to the American
Heart Association’s scientific statement,
“Exercise-Related Acute Cardiovascular
Events and Potential Deleterious
Adaptations Following Long-Term
Exercise Training: Placing the Risks Into
Perspective — an Update.” Numerous
other scientific research studies over the
years have also identified the dangers
of shoveling snow for people with and
without previously known heart disease.

“Shoveling a little snow off your
sidewalk may not seem like hard work,”
said Barry Franklin, lead author of the
scientific statement, longtime American
Heart Association volunteer and a
professor of internal medicine at Oakland
University's William Beaumont School
of Medicine in Michigan. “However, the
strain of heavy snow shoveling may be
as, or even more, demanding on the
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heart than taking a treadmill stress test,
according to research we’ve conducted.

For example, after only 2 minutes of
snow shoveling, study participants’ heart
rates exceeded 85% of maximal heart
rate, which is a level more commonly
expected during intense aerobic exercise
testing. The impact is hardest on those
who are least fit.”
Franklin said that winter weather in
general can contribute to increased risks.

Cold temperatures may increase blood
pressure while simultaneously constrict-
ing the coronary arteries. Those factors,
combined with a higher heart rate from
extra physical effort, may increase the
risk for acute cardiac events. There are
even studies showing an increased risk
for heart attacks among people using
snowblowers. Similar to the exertion of
pushing a shovel, pushing a snowblower
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can raise the heart rate and blood
pressure quickly.

“The impact of snow removal is
especially concerning for people who
already have cardiovascular risks like
a sedentary lifestyle or obesity, being
a current or former smoker, or having
diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood
pressure, as well as people who have
had a heart attack or stroke,” said
Franklin. “People with these character-
istics and those who have had bypass
surgery or coronary angioplasty simply
should not be shoveling snow.”
If you experience any chest pain or
pressure, lightheadedness, heart palpi-
tations or irregular heart rhythms, stop
the activity immediately. Call 911 if
symptoms don’t subside shortly after
you stop shoveling or snow-blowing. If
you see someone collapse while shovel-
ing snow, call for help and start Hands-
Only CPR if they are unresponsive with
no pulse. T
Learn more about cold weather and
cardiovascular health at: Heart.org.

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Courtesy of Getty Images
How Cold-Weather Activities
Can Impact Heart Health