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Tag: snow shoveling

  • Shoveling snow? Over-exertion and cold temps can raise your heart risks

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    Shoveling snow? Over-exertion and cold temps can raise your heart risks

    ON SATURDAY. TIP OFF FOR THAT GAME IS EIGHT. MIGHT HAVE TO DIG OUT IF YOU’RE HEADED TO THAT GAME. THE SNOW STILL FALLING. BUT FOR A LOT OF US MAYBE ALREADY STARTED OR WILL CONTINUE DOING IS THAT TASK OF SHOVELING. AND WHILE IT MAY BE LIGHT SNOW, THERE ARE STILL IMPORTANT HEALTH REMINDERS TO KEEP IN MIND. DOCTOR JORGE PLUTZKY IS THE DIRECTOR OF PREVENTATIVE CARDIOLOGY AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL. DOCTOR PLUTZKY, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS MORNING. SURE. THANK YOU. WHAT DO YOU WORRY ABOUT MOST WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE HEADING OUT TO MOVE ALL OF THAT SNOW AROUND? WELL, FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT MAY BE THE FIRST TIME THEY’RE EXERTING THEMSELVES TO THAT LEVEL. AND WE KNOW THAT SHOVELING SNOW IS A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF EXERTION. YOU CAN VERY QUICKLY. STUDIES SUGGEST WITHIN TEN MINUTES REACH 100% OF YOUR MAXIMUM HEART RATE. AND SO FOR PEOPLE WITH A HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE OR JUST RISK FACTORS, THAT CAN BE QUITE AN EXERTION. IT’S LIKE SETTLING, DOING A MAXIMAL STRESS TEST AND BRINGING ON ISSUES RELATED TO THAT. DOC, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS THAT FOLKS OUT THERE MIGHT BE? YOU KNOW, WE TOUGH NEW ENGLANDERS WILL SAY, WELL, WE’LL WORK THROUGH IT. BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SIGNS THAT SOMETHING MAY BE SERIOUSLY HAPPENING AND YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A BREAK, HEAD ON INSIDE FOR A BIT. YES. YOU KNOW, THE CLASSIC SIGNS OF CHEST PAIN AND PERHAPS ASSOCIATED SHORTNESS OF BREATH, NAUSEA, RADIATION DOWN THE ARMS ARE CERTAINLY VERY VALID. BUT WE ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO MORE SUBTLE SIGNS LIKE CHEST PRESSURE, ACHING IN THE JAW, JUST THE THE NAUSEA CAN STILL BE RELEVANT. AND SO LISTENING TO YOUR BODY SLOWING DOWN, TAKING BREAKS AND STOPPING IF YOU’RE FEELING ANY OF THOSE IS GOOD ADVICE AND HIGHLY WARRANTED, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE OUT THERE IN THE COLD, WHICH MAY BE ITS OWN FACTOR FOR WHY THESE ISSUES ARISE. THE COLD CAN CONSTRICT ARTERIES AND MAKE THINGS WORSE, AND THERE REALLY IS NO MESSING AROUND WITH THIS. AND WE KNOW HEART ISSUES PRESENT DIFFERENTLY. BUT ARE THERE? AND MAYBE YOU JUST SPOKE ABOUT THIS MORE SUBTLE SIGNS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO DURING THIS KIND OF WEATHER. YEAH, IT’S THINGS LIKE I’M FEELING MORE SHORT OF BREATH THAN I THAN I WOULD EXPECT TO BE. I’M HAVING AN ACHE IN MY JAW OR IN MY NECK THAT IS SURPRISING AND FEELS DIFFERENT. THESE ARE ALL SIGNS TO PAY ATTENTION TO AND TO NOT PUSH IT, TO SORT THAT OUT. THE. THERE ARE VARIOUS STRATEGIES PEOPLE CAN TAKE TO HAVE LESS OF A LOAD, LIKE TAKING BREAKS, COVERING YOUR MOUTH SO YOU WARM THE AIR THAT’S ON ITS WAY IN TO NOT NECESSARILY SHOVEL AND LIFT, BECAUSE USING YOUR ARMS IS MORE OF AN EXERTION, BUT TO PUSH AND TO TO SWIPE. BUT YOU REALLY DO WANT TO LISTEN TO ANY, ANY SENSE YOU HAVE THAT SOMETHING’S OFF. INCLUDING THESE OTHER, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT ATYPICAL SYMPTOMS THAT AREN’T CLASSIC CHEST PAIN. EVEN THAT CHEST PRESSURE CAN BE A SIGN. IT’S BEEN FOUR YEARS SINCE WE HAD THIS AMOUNT OF SNOW, SO MAYBE FOLKS HAVEN’T HAD TO FACE IT FOR A WHILE. DOCTOR GEORGE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CARDIOLOGIST WITH MASS GENERAL BRIGHAM, WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING.


    By The Associated Press undefined

    Digging out from the weekend’s massive snow and ice storm could be hazardous to your heart.Pennsylvania health officials announced three snow-removal-related deaths on Sunday. All were between the ages of 60 and 84. The Lehigh County coroner’s office cautioned people to take breaks and avoid over-exerting themselves.Shoveling snow is heavy, hard work — research has shown that doing it for even a short time can make the heart work as hard as it does during a major workout. Adding to that stress, the cold temperatures cause blood vessels, including those feeding the heart, to constrict. That raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association.Snow shoveling is especially risky for anyone with known heart disease or who’s already survived a heart attack, as well as older adults and people with risk factors, including high blood pressure or cholesterol. People who think they’re healthy can get in trouble, too, with that combination of heavy exertion in cold weather – especially if they’re generally sedentary until a snowstorm comes along.The heart association advises that if you have to shovel, go slow and try to push the snow instead of lifting and throwing it. It also urges people to learn common warning signs of a heart attack and to call 911 if they experience them.

    Digging out from the weekend’s massive snow and ice storm could be hazardous to your heart.

    Pennsylvania health officials announced three snow-removal-related deaths on Sunday. All were between the ages of 60 and 84. The Lehigh County coroner’s office cautioned people to take breaks and avoid over-exerting themselves.

    Shoveling snow is heavy, hard work — research has shown that doing it for even a short time can make the heart work as hard as it does during a major workout. Adding to that stress, the cold temperatures cause blood vessels, including those feeding the heart, to constrict. That raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association.

    Snow shoveling is especially risky for anyone with known heart disease or who’s already survived a heart attack, as well as older adults and people with risk factors, including high blood pressure or cholesterol. People who think they’re healthy can get in trouble, too, with that combination of heavy exertion in cold weather – especially if they’re generally sedentary until a snowstorm comes along.

    The heart association advises that if you have to shovel, go slow and try to push the snow instead of lifting and throwing it. It also urges people to learn common warning signs of a heart attack and to call 911 if they experience them.

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  • Snow Shoveling and Health Hazards: How to Clear Snow Safely This Winter

    Snow Shoveling and Health Hazards: How to Clear Snow Safely This Winter

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    Jan. 4, 2023 — The winter stolstice passed on Dec. 21, ushering in a season of substantial snow, with thousands of Americans heading out to shovel their driveways in the coming months.

    But snow shoveling can be dangerous: One study found it’s responsible for 11,500 serious injuries and almost 100 deaths annually. So before you reach for your shovel, or even your snow blower, familiarize yourself with the risks and take precautions.

    How Strenuous Is Shoveling?

    Snow shoveling places enormous stress on the heart, says Barry Franklin, PhD, professor of Internal Medicine at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Royal Oak, MI, who became interested in the impact of show shoveling on health early in his career after two close friends died of heart causes after shoveling snow.

    A study conducted by Franklin and his colleagues focused on 10 healthy men, aged 35 or younger, who underwent a stress test to assess their heart rate, blood pressure, and fitness level at maximal exertion. On a different day, the same men shoveled snow for 10 minutes while wearing an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor, blood pressure monitor, and a device to measure energy expenditure. 

    “We found that the heart rate and blood pressure during snow shoveling were equal to or greater than maximal treadmill testing,” Franklin says. “Couple that with cold temperature, which decreases blood flow to the heart and increases blood pressure, and you’re causing a tremendous demand on the heart.”

    Each shovelful of wet snow weighed about 16 pounds, and the men filled their shovels an average of every 5 seconds during the 10-minute period. 

    “That means close to 2,000 pounds were moved during the 10 minutes, [or] the equivalent weight of a midsize car,” Franklin says. 

    There are many reasons beyond the strain of heavy lifting that make shoveling so demanding to the heart. 

    “When you’re shoveling, you’re typically standing still, and your arms are doing all the work. Blood pools in your lower extremities because your legs aren’t moving, so there’s insufficient blood flow back to the heart at a time when the heart needs that oxygenated blood desperately,” Franklin explains.

    Breathing cold air causes blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and limits blood flow. 

    “When you put all of these factors together, and you add underlying heart disease, you have a ‘perfect storm’ for catastrophic events,” says Franklin.

    Who’s at Risk?

    Although we usually regard exercise as being good for the heart, physical exertion is a “double-edge sword,” notes Franklin, who is the co-author of the books Take a Load Off Your Heart and Prevent, Halt and Reverse Heart Disease.

    “Exercise can be protective to your heart if you’re physically active on a regular basis,” he says. But vigorous, strenuous exercise can trigger a heart attack or sudden cardiac death, especially if you’re not in shape.

    And even if you’re in good shape, shoveling can still place you at risk, although your risk is probably lower, he notes. One study suggests that up 85% of U.S. adults over age 50 have plaques in their arteries even if they have no symptoms. Extreme exertion can cause plaque to rupture, leading to a heart attack. 

    People at highest risk for shoveling-related cardiac events are people over age of 45,  people with hidden heart disease or known cardiac problems, people who are typically inactive, are overweight or obese, and people who have one or more cardiac risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, or diabetes, Franklin says.

    Protecting Your Back

    Ken Hansraj, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at in Poughkeepsie, NY, says that show shoveling affects not only the heart but also the back.

    “Lifting and carrying snow places strain on the back, so pushing or sweeping are better than lifting,” Hansraj says. “But if any lifting needs to be done, use a lightweight ergonomic shovel, which has a bend in the middle.” 

    Don’t lift too much at once, warns Hansraj, who is the author of the book Watch Your Back: Nine Proven Strategies to Reduce Your Neck and Back Pain Without Surgery. Instead, “take small ‘bites,’” he suggests. 

    He advises people to “move aside small chunks that are light and easy. You’ll get worn out more quickly if you move heavier loads, and the stress on your back and heart will be greater. This might seem slower but before you know it, you’re done.” And be aware of the “quality of the snow. Wet snow weighs more than dry snow, which is more like baby powder and is a pleasure to play with.”

    Pace yourself by dividing the task into smaller units. 

    “You can divide your driveway into regions — the front of the driveway, the east side, the west side, and the back. Take your time clearing the regions and take a break between regions,” suggests Hansraj. 

    Before, During, and After 

    Hansraj recommends warming up indoors before going outdoors to shovel. 

    “Stretch out your neck, back, hamstrings, quadriceps, and Achilles tendon, pull the elbows in front of your chest, and stretch out your shoulders.” He recommends doing 10 squats, 10 pushups, and 30 seconds of planking.

    The reason for these preliminary exercises is to “prepare your ‘shock absorbers’ — your thighs and your innermost and outer core,” he explains. “For example, there’s a point when you’re shoveling that you’re squatting and your thighs are engaged, and you want them rather than your back to carry the stress.”

    He also recommends deep belly breathing before going outdoors and remaining conscious of your breathing throughout the shoveling. 

    “If your breath starts to change and become labored, then quit shoveling,” he says. 

    If you do lift snow, do it carefully, remaining aware of your posture. Keep your head upright, looking up, expand your chest, keep your shoulders behind you, contract your stomach muscles, and tuck your pelvis. 

    “The further away the shovel is from the body, the more the weight will exert pressure on your spine, so stand close to the shovel,” Hansraj says. Keep your feet spread shoulder-width apart for a strong base of support, and squat, bending your knees while keeping your back straight. 

    Listen to your body. If you’re getting tired or short of breath, or if you feel changes in your heart rhythm, stop shoveling. Stop if you feel your neck muscles or lower back begin to ache or if you have near misses when taking steps or placing the snow. 

    Hansraj suggests taking a long, hot shower after shoveling. You may want to do some more stretches while in the shower. If you experience mild muscle aches, you can take an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or use an over-the-counter cream.

    But if you’re having chest pain or pain that goes up to your jaw or down your arms, or any type of difficulty breathing, get medical help because those could be signs of a heart attack. 

    Additional Safety Tips

    • Dress warmly, wearing layers, warm socks, warm gloves, and non-porous high-top shoes. The top layer should be light and breathable. Cover your nose with a scarf so you’re breathing in less cold air.
    • Stay hydrated since physical activity can cause dehydration, even in cold weather.
    • Don’t let your hat or scarf block your vision, and be sure to check for icy patches and uneven surfaces.
    • Don’t throw snow over your shoulder or to the side because the twisting motion can strain the back.

    Snow Blowers Have Risks, Too

    The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has additional guidance for people using snow blowers.

    • Never stick your hands into the snow blower.
    • Don’t leave your snow blower unattended when it’s running.
    • Add fuel only before starting the snow blower.
    • Never add fuel or operate the machine in an enclosed area.
    • Don’t touch the engine.
    • Don’t remove safety devices, shields, or guards on switches.
    • Keep children away from snow blowers.

    Franklin suggests sticking a label on your shovel or snow blower, like “Warning: Use of this instrument for snow removal may be hazardous to your health!”

    “It will remind you to take adequate precautions before embarking upon snow removal,” he says.  And if you’re an older adult, sedentary, or have health issues, “get a neighborhood kid to clear your snow or hire a snowplow service.”

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