A 2001 study found that 85% of adults over the age of 50 already experience symptoms that can lead to coronary artery disease.
Who should avoid shoveling snow this winter?
Experts say shoveling snow is a winter chore that can be especially dangerous for some people.
December has begun and several inches of snow blanketed the United States this week. However, while some people are enjoying their time off from school or work, others are busy cleaning their driveways, sidewalks, and balconies.
As the frigid winter approaches, more and more people gather their snow shovels (or blowers) and get to work strenuously. Shoveling snow may seem like a common chore to some, but for people who don’t exercise regularly or have heart conditions, it can be dangerous and even fatal.
“Shobbing a little snow off the sidewalk may not seem like hard work, but the strain of shoveling a heavy snowfall may be as taxing on the heart as taking a treadmill stress test, if not more so,” Dr. Barry Franklin, a former American Heart Association volunteer, said in a news release.
According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, from 1990 to 2006, nearly 200,000 adults were treated in emergency rooms for snow shoveling-related accidents, and more than 1,600 deaths were reported during that period.
As winter approaches, here’s what you need to know to stay fit while working in the garden.
At what age can you start shoveling snow?
Experts haven’t pinpointed the perfect age to retire from snow shoveling, and their recommendations can vary widely.
Dr. John Osborne, the AHA’s chief medical officer, said adults 65 and older should be “more careful” shoveling snow, and people with heart disease risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol should be especially careful.
Dr. Osborne pointed to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that found cold-related mortality was approximately twice as high (65% to 35%) as heat-related cardiovascular events, especially in male patients over 65 years of age.
Meanwhile, Mr. Franklin had previously recommended an age limit for younger people. He said people over 45 should avoid the job. This recommendation is supported by a 2001 study that found that approximately 85% of adults over age 50 already experience atherosclerosis, which can lead to coronary artery disease.
Why does shoveling snow put a strain on the heart?
Franklin said in an AHA news release that there are five main stressors that are applied to the heart when shoveling snow.
- Snow shoveling is mostly an isometric or static exercise that involves contracting the muscles without moving any of the surrounding joints.
- Shoveling snow requires the use of your arms, which puts more strain on your heart than your legs.
- When the body tenses up when lifting heavy loads, most people unconsciously hold their breath, which increases heart rate and blood pressure.
- When your legs are stationary or move too often, blood pools in your lower body and prevents it from returning to your heart for oxygen.
- Cold air can constrict blood vessels, raise blood pressure too much and constrict coronary arteries.
What are the common symptoms of a cardiac event?
According to the AHA, common symptoms of cardiac events such as heart attacks include chest pain or tightness, light-headedness, palpitations, and irregular heart rhythm.
If you experience any of these symptoms while working in your garden this winter, stop. If symptoms do not stop immediately, call 911.
How to reduce injuries when shoveling snow
Perhaps the most obvious way to avoid injury during the winter is to hire someone to do your yard work. However, if that is not possible, Franklin advised, according to an AHA news release:
- Start gradually and go at your own pace.
- Cover your mouth and nose and wear layers such as a hat and gloves.
- Push or sweep the snow instead of lifting or throwing it.
- Be careful when the wind is blowing. If there is wind, it will feel colder than the actual temperature, and the cold will have a greater effect on your body.
Franklin also recommended using a snow blower instead of a shovel. He said that using a snow blower increases your heart rate to about 120 beats per minute, but while shoveling snow your heart rate is about 170 beats per minute.
How to reduce injuries during snowstorms
Can I use a snow blower? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the following safety tips to avoid injury.
- If dirt or wet snow gets stuck in the machine, stop the machine completely before removing it.
- Keep hands and feet away from moving parts.
- Do not leave the machine running in an enclosed area.
- Add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine. Do not add gasoline to machines that are running or hot.
- When using an electric snow blower, pay attention to the location of the power cord.
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
