Why Is Shoveling Snow So Dangerous – Hidden Risk
Do you know? 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.
Most people rush outside after a big snowstorm to clear driveways and sidewalks. They treat it like a simple or normal task, not knowing that it can be quite risky. The American Heart Association and various health journals have also stated that activities like lifting heavy snow, twisting and shoveling can put a lot of pressure on the heart.
When someone doesn’t exercise regularly and suddenly engages in intense physical activity, it puts a lot of stress on the body. This sudden burst of strenuous activity forces the heart to work harder. This can lead to heart attacks or other serious cardiac complications.
Research shows that snow shoveling can trigger heart problems in both people with and without known heart disease. A large Canadian study (CMAJ) 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.
Heart Risks of Lifting Heavy Snow
Barry Franklin, Ph.D., a renowned cardiovascular researcher explains that lifting snow is actually more strenuous on the heart. People think it is easy.
According to his research, lifting a 16-pound shovel 12 times a minute for just 10 minutes means you’re moving 2,000 pounds. It’s about the weight of a small car. His studies also showed that a person shoveling snow can push their heart rate up to 97% of its maximum, which is similar to the level of effort seen in intense athletic activity.
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.
You may also read about: which winter storm is more dangerous
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 vasoconstriction.
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
- Hire Help: If you’re older or have heart problems, it’s safest to pay someone like a neighbor kid to shovel the snow. This is especially important for people in their 60s or 70s, or anyone who has smoked or has heart disease risks.
- Push, Don’t Lift: If you have to shovel yourself, always try to push the snow, not lift it. Pushing puts less strain on your heart compared to lifting it.
- Check the Weather: Before heading out, check the weather conditions and be aware of wind chill and real-feel temperature. Extreme cold can worsen blood flow problems.
- Dress Warmly: Always wear multiple layers, including a hat, gloves and a scarf to protect yourself from the cold.
- Avoid Stress: Do not consume heavy meals, smoking, or alcohol before or after shoveling, as these factors add unnecessary stress to your heart.
- Take Breaks: Use a start-and-stop technique. Frequent breaks allow your heart rate and blood pressure to come back down. Don’t try to finish all at once.
- Electric Snow Blower Caution: Even if you’re using an electric snow blower, it’s still risky if you have heart problems. However, since you’re moving around more, it’s safer than standing still with a shovel.
FAQ’s
Q1: What age should you stop shoveling snow?
In my years of observing winter storms across the North, there isn’t a specific age at which everyone should stop shoveling snow, but the risk increases significantly after age 45. Dr. Franklin emphasizes that if you are in your 70s, it is crucial to stop shoveling snow immediately. I strongly recommend hiring someone to handle the snow if you fall into these age groups or have existing heart risks.
Q2: What causes heart attacks from shoveling?
Snow shoveling causes heart attacks because the intense physical exertion of lifting heavy snow can spike your heart rate to 97% of its maximum. Simultaneously, cold air causes vasoconstriction, which tightens arteries, raises blood pressure, and reduces vital blood flow to the heart.
