For many, winter snow brings to mind images of sledding and hot cocoa. But behind the beauty of the icy scenery lies a hidden danger: the serious heart risks posed by shoveling snow. While shoveling snow may seem like a mundane chore, it can pose a serious threat to your cardiovascular health, especially for sedentary people or those with underlying medical conditions.
Shoveling snow is a physically demanding task that requires significant effort, especially when dealing with a heavy, wet layer of snow. The repetitive lifting and twisting motions involved in shoveling snow can put a significant strain on the heart and cardiovascular system. For individuals who are not accustomed to regular exercise or who have underlying heart conditions, this burst of intense physical activity can lead to an adverse cardiac event.
“One of the main concerns associated with shoveling snow is the increased risk of heart attack,” says Howard Levitt, MD, FACC, medical director of outpatient cardiology at RWJBarnabas Health facilities Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Laway. “It’s a supply and demand issue. Your muscles are working harder than normal and need more oxygen. Your heart has to pump harder and faster to deliver the oxygen. Exercise also constricts blood vessels, increasing blood pressure and resistance to the heart as the heart tries to keep up with the increased demand for oxygen. This added stress on the heart can lead to the formation of blood clots or the rupture of plaque buildup in your arteries.”
Shoveling snow may also lead to other cardiovascular conditions, including angina, which is characterized by chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Cold weather and physical activity have been linked to triggering symptoms in susceptible individuals, which may indicate an underlying cardiac problem that may require medical intervention.
“Shoveling snow may seem like a minor task at first glance,” Levitt added, “but people with existing cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or a history of heart disease, should exercise caution. Older adults, who may already have compromised heart function, are especially vulnerable to the cardiac hazards of shoveling snow.”
To minimize your risk, you should first consult with your doctor to evaluate your cardiovascular health and determine if shoveling snow is a safe activity. People with known heart conditions or risk factors may be advised to avoid shoveling snow altogether or to use alternative methods, such as using a snow blower or hiring a snow removal company.
Warming up beforehand and taking frequent breaks also help, as does dressing in layers of moisture-wicking fabrics for colder temperatures.
“No one wants snow on their sidewalks or driveways, and the first thing we think of after a storm is to get outside with a shovel before the snow freezes,” Levitt said, “but understanding the cardiovascular risks and taking the appropriate precautions is worth the effort.”
Get a heart check