Cold weather + shoveling snow = big risk for heart attacks

I recently had a conversation with a family friend who happens to be the chief cardiologist at a local heart hospital. We spoke about the health risks of snow shoveling or any strenuous activity in cold weather. We all have been sore with muscle aches after shoveling. But keep in mind sudden exertion activities in cold weather can trigger a heart attack or even sudden cardiac arrest.

Your body has a response mechanism when it senses cold temperatures. Your valves and vessels constrict or tighten, this is done to maintain the core temperature for your major organs. When that occurs, people who may already have narrow, clogged or constricted vessels will have a greater decrease in circulation and blood flow. This decreased blood flow will lead to increased oxygen demand for your organs and especially your heart. Now by shoveling snow you are exacerbating that need for more oxygen and the results can be deadly.

Snow shoveling can be more strenuous than a full workout at the gym. Most of the time you don't realize how strenuous it is until it’s too late and your body is tired. It starts by breathing heavy and feeling the burn in muscles you didn’t even thought you had. What you are feeling in those muscles is the same thing going on to your heart and the vessels that supply it. While this may not be a problem if an individual is healthy and fit, it can be dangerous if you are not. Shoveling, even pushing a heavy snow blower, can cause sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate, and the cold air can cause constriction of the blood vessel and decrease oxygen to the heart. All these work together to increase the work of the heart and trigger a potentially fatal heart attack.

Individuals who are at risk of a heart attack during cold outdoor activities include:

•Anyone elderly

•Those with a prior heart attack

•Those with known heart disease

•Those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol

•Smokers

•Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle

•People with high cholesterol or high blood pressure

Such individuals should think twice about shoveling snow and should talk to their doctor before taking on such a task.

Before you shovel snow