Why Is Shoveling Snow So Dangerous – Hidden Risk
Many people rush outside after a big snowstorm to clear driveways and sidewalks, treating it like a normal chore. But snow shoveling can be very dangerous for the heart especially for people who are sedentary or have health problems. Many people don’t realize why is shoveling snow so dangerous, especially for older adults or those with heart conditions. The American Heart Association warns that heavy snow removal can put extra stress on the heart, particularly for those not used to regular exercise.
Research shows that snow shoveling can trigger heart problems in both people with and without known heart disease. A large Canadian study found sudden heart attacks in men rise 16% after snow and big storms can increase deaths by 34%. Even if women shovel differently the risk is still there. Lifting and twisting heavy wet snow is physically demanding, and for people not used to exercise this burst of effort can cause serious cardiac events.
Heart Risks of Lifting Heavy Snow
Wet snow can be very heavy. A study found one shovelful of snow weighs about 16 pounds and lifting 12 times a minute for 10 minutes is like moving 2,000 pounds the weight of a small car. Another study showed a shoveler’s heart rate can reach 97% of maximum almost like extreme exercise.
Cold air makes blood vessels constrict, raising blood pressure and reducing blood flow to the heart. Lifting heavy snow with your arms, holding your breath or standing still while using a snow blower adds even more strain. Blood pools in the legs, arteries shrink and the heart works harder while getting less blood. Even shoveling a small amount of wet snow can stress the heart as much as a treadmill stress test.
Snow Shoveling Can Be Dangerous for Adults with Heart Conditions
Most people in their 20s or 30s usually do not have problems because they have not developed coronary artery disease. But people aged 45 or 50 and older especially those with known or hidden heart disease or who are not physically active face much higher risk. Many people have heart disease without knowing it because they have no symptoms. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or smoking history increase this risk.
People who exercise regularly and keep healthy cholesterol levels are generally safer but there is never zero risk. Research on snow shoveling has mostly focused on men but women can also have heart attacks during snow removal. Anyone with heart disease, a past heart attack or stroke, or major risk factors should avoid shoveling snow and use safer options instead.
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Simple Snow Shoveling Rules to Reduce Heart Attack Risk
Pay the neighbor kid this is a must for people in their seventies and eighties, especially if they ever smoked or have heart disease risks. If you must shovel, push, do not lift because pushing snow puts less strain on the heart. Check the wind chill and real-feel temperature, as extreme cold worsens vaso constriction.
Dress in layers with a hat, gloves and scarf, and avoid heavy meals, smoking and alcohol. Use a take work rest approach to lower heart rate and blood pressure. An electric snow blower is still risky but somewhat safer. Stop immediately if you feel pain from the belly button up, and call 911 for any heart attack symptoms.
Heavy Snowfall Increases Heart Attack Risk in Men
Research we have conducted shows that after two minutes of snow shoveling, study participants had heart rates exceeded 85% of maximal heart rate, a level commonly expected during intense aerobic exercise testing, explains a professor of internal medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Royal Oak Michigan. The impact hardest hits people least fit for this sudden exertion. A study conducted in Canada found the chance of heart attack after snowfall increased among men but not among women when compared to no snowfall days heavy snow of 7 to 8 inches was associated with 16% higher odds of men admitted to hospital for heart attack, with a 34% increase in the chance of men dying from heart attack during these events.
Winter weather in general can contribute to increased risk because cold temperatures increase blood pressure while simultaneously constricting the coronary arteries. When these factors combined with higher heart rate from the extra physical effort, they increase risk of acute cardiac events. Studies show an increased risk for heart attacks even among people using automatic snow blowers since there was similar to extra exertion involved pushing shovel or pushing snow blower both raise heart rate and raise blood pressure quickly. The chief concerns associated with snow shoveling include this increased risk of heart attacks, says Howard Levitt M.D. F.A.C.C., Medical Director Outpatient Cardiology at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway, both RWJBarnabas Health facilities.
Why Snow Shoveling Is Risky for People With Heart Conditions
Shoveling snow may seem like a trivial task, added Levitt but people with existing cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, obesity or a history of heart disease should use caution before grabbing that shovel. Older adults may already have compromised heart function even if they have not been diagnosed yet, making them especially vulnerable to the cardiac dangers of shoveling.
The combination of cold air, physical strain and underlying health conditions creates a perfect storm for heart related emergencies. Even those who feel healthy should recognize that age brings changes to cardiovascular strength and resilience that are not always obvious until we are pushing our limits during strenuous winter tasks.
Snow Shoveling Safety Tips for People Over 60
If you are getting older or have any heart problems, the smartest move is to pay the neighbor kid to handle the snow it is a must for people in their seventies and eighties especially if ever smoked or carry any other heart disease risks, says Franklin. When you absolutely have to do it yourself, remember to push do not lift whenever possible as pushing snow off steps with your shovel rather than hoisting it puts less strain on heart. Check the weather before heading out and mind the wind chill and real feel temperature, because when it is very cold, the vaso constriction will be worse on your body.
Always dress in layers including a hat, gloves and scarf to protect yourself from the cold. You should avoid heavy meals, smoking and alcohol before and after shoveling since these add extra stress. The key is to start and stop frequently take work rest approach that lets you bring heart rate down and bring blood pressure back down and do not try to do it all in one time. Even if you use an electric snow blower, it is still risky if you have heart disease or other health issues, though because you are moving around more, it is considered somewhat safer than standing in one spot.
