Courtesy of the American Heart Association
As pretty as new-fallen snow appears, shoveling it from sidewalks and driveways can be deadly. According to the American Heart Association, many people may face an increased risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest after shoveling heavy snow. The heart-health hazards of snow shoveling were called out in the Association’s 2020 updated scientific statement regarding exercise-related acute cardiovascular events. Numerous scientific research studies have also identified the dangers of shoveling snow for people with and without previously known heart disease.
Barry Franklin, Ph.D., FAHA, lead author of the Association’s scientific statement, is one of the leading experts on the science behind the cardiovascular risks of snow shoveling. A professor of internal medicine at Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine in Royal Oak, Michigan, Franklin said that reports indicate that hundreds of people die during, or just after, snow removal in the U.S. each year.
“Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity, made even more so by the impact that cold temperatures have on your body, increasing blood pressure while simultaneously constricting coronary arteries. It really is a ‘perfect storm’ for acute cardiac events,” said Franklin. Franklin said the researchers concluded that heavy snow shoveling could result in heart rate and systolic blood pressure increases that could equal and exceed the upper levels that occur during maximal treadmill testing in sedentary men. One study found that after only two minutes of snow shoveling, study participants’ heart rates exceeded the upper limit – 85 percent of maximal heart rate – commonly prescribed for aerobic exercise testing. The least fit subjects demonstrated the highest heart rates during shoveling.
It is not only snow shoveling that can be dangerous. Research also shows an increased risk for heart attack even in people using snow blowers. The extra exertion of pushing a snow blower can raise heart rate and blood pressure quickly. “The impact of snow removal is especially concerning for people who already have cardiovascular risks such as a sedentary lifestyle or obesity, being a current or former smoker, 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 characteristics, and those who have had bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty, simply should not be shoveling snow.”
Franklin said the most important thing is to be aware of the dangers of clearing snow, and be prepared to take it easy, including taking short breaks. For apparently healthy people who do engage in snow removal, recognize that snow blowers can reduce the demands on the heart, and that pushing the snow with a shovel is preferred to lifting and throwing it.
Also, know the common signs of heart trouble, and if you experience chest pain, pressure, lightheadedness, heart palpitations, or irregular heart rhythms, stop the activity immediately. Call 9-1-1 if symptoms don’t subside shortly after snow removal. Learn more about cold weather and cardiovascular disease at https://bit.ly/3Gj8MlK.
