For some of us, snow is a welcome surprise that means working from home and sledding. For others, it’s just another expected annoyance. Regardless, many of us deal with one common denominator: needing to shovel snow out of the road and walkways.
Perhaps surprisingly, being cautious with this chore is crucial. Cardiologists say it can easily and quickly cause heart problems and even heart attacks in adults.
“While the overall risk may be lower for a younger person in good shape, the risk rises significantly for those who have known coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or who smoke,” says Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at Vital Solution, an Ingenovis Health company. “Those that are not physically active are also at risk.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kristen (@wellness_with_kristen)
Shoveling snow is an every-year (or every month or every few years) thing. And now some of us are finding out it can be risky? What’s the big deal?
People often underestimate how much of a physical workload it is to shovel a bunch of snow. That’s understandable—after all, snow seems so light! And yet, with so much of it, the process is harder than it looks.
Dr. Serwer also says that many individuals are less physically active in the winter, which may mean they aren’t as physically prepared for the workout.
2. It can contribute to undetected dehydration
Have you exercised in the cold, then sweated very little and figured you didn’t need to rehydrate much? That can happen when shoveling snow, too. We can become more dehydrated than we realize.
Dehydration affects many parts of your body, including your heart. For starters, it can increase your future risk of adverse cardiovascular events, impair vascular function and hurt blood pressure regulation, according to a 2019 study in Nutrients.
Related: 7 Simple Tricks to Tame Your Blood Pressure Quickly, According to Heart Health Experts
Shoveling Snow Increases These Heart Risks
1. High blood pressure
As mentioned, cold air causes blood pressure to rise, which stresses the heart. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, heart failure and more.
3. Heart attacks
Remember what we said about high blood pressure? It can also contribute to heart attacks. It all comes down to plaque.
Plaque also builds in the arteries over time and can get worse with age, he continues, though that doesn’t mean heart problems are exclusive to older adults.
He also shares another way a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, could happen. “Vasoconstriction occurs to minimize heat loss, reducing blood flow to internal organs, particularly the myocardium,” he says. (The myocardium is the heart muscle). “This vasoconstriction, coupled with increased systemic blood pressure, significantly elevates myocardial workload.”
Related: The #1 Way to Lower Your Heart Attack Risk Naturally, According to Cardiologists
Dress in layers (and shed them as needed) to avoid overheating and to ensure adequate protection from the cold.Don’t shovel alone; ask someone to help you. Warm up before starting, like you would with any other type of exercise.Be mindful of how you feel before, during and after shoveling.Ensure you’re hydrated before, during and after shoveling.Take breaks to avoid overexertion, listening to your body and shoveling in small amounts.Don’t drink alcohol or smoke while shoveling. Avoid lifting a heavy snow shovel over your head; rather, push the snow out of your path.
Again, there’s nothing wrong with letting someone else shovel for you—especially if your body needs it. “Hire someone to shovel, especially if you are at a high cardiac risk,” Dr. Serwer says.
In short, be smart with your heart.
Related: This Is the Shocking Reason Your Stroke Risk Is About to Increase, Even If You're Healthy
Sources
Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologistDr. Peerawut Deeprasertkul, MD, a cardiologist Dr. Patrick Kee, MD, Ph.D., a cardiologist All 50 States Have Seen Snow This Winter And Some Southern Cities Have Topped Northern Ones, The Weather ChannelReel by @wellness_with_kristen, InstagramSnow shoveling can be hazardous to your heart, American Heart AssociationHydration Status and Cardiovascular Function, NutrientsHigh blood pressure (hypertension), Mayo Clinic Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Cardiologists Are Warning People Over 45 About the Dangers of Shoveling Snow )
Also on site :