Shoveling snow can be serious health risk

Tonya Papanikolas reportingThis weekend, there's a good chance we'll be doing an activity that the American Heart Association warns carries a serious health risk -- shoveling snow. Researchers have found more fatal heart attacks among shovelers after heavy snowfalls.

After a big snowstorm, most people think of shoveling snow as a necessary evil. But for those at risk for heart disease, all that heavy exertion can really put a strain on the heart.

Dr. Nikki Mihalopoulos, a board member with the American Heart Association, said, "Most people don't realize that snow shoveling is such a strenuous activity and that it's going to increase their risk of a heart attack."

One study estimates as many as 1,200 people die every year of coronary artery disease during and after major snowstorms. Cardiologists say those who lead sedentary lifestyles are at greater risk.

LDS Hospital cardiologist Dr. Brent D. Wilson said, "Oftentimes we're not as active as we should be in the winter. And the snowstorm forces them to get outside and exert themselves physically at a level that perhaps they don't do as often as they should."

Researchers have found some people can exceed the recommended heart rate for aerobic exercise within two minutes of shoveling snow. And the cold temperatures don't help, either.

Dr. Wilson explains, "It increases the demands on the heart and on the body."

If you have any risk factors for heart disease or haven't exercised in a while, it's best to talk to a doctor before picking up a shovel. And if you do head outside, watch what equipment you use. It may take a little longer, but it's best to use a small shovel, since larger ones hold heavier clumps of snow, making the work harder.

If you do experience any chest pain or pressure, stop shoveling immediately and call 911. The piling snow won't make much of a difference if you're gone.

Medical researchers say shoveling heavy snow equals about the exertion of running 9 miles an hour. To Stay Safe, here are a few more things to keep in mind:

• Go slow and take frequent breaks.
• Warm up before you shovel, just like you would before going for a run.
• Avoid smoking or drinking caffeine before shoveling, since it can increase your heart rate even more and cause your blood vessels to constrict.
• Don't shovel after eating a large meal.

Dr. Mihalopoulos says, "A heavy meal sends blood to the stomach and increases the work on the heart when exercise is done immediately after that."

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