As experts from the American Heart Association warn, shoveling heavy snow can lead to a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest in certain situations. The risk of cardiovascular problems is especially high in specific groups of people.

The fact that clearing snow is not a simple activity is noticed by many people only when they try to clear away heavy, compact snow. The related effort often exceeds the physical capacity of even young, he althy men.

I, warns the American Heart Association (AHA) - The American Heart Association, the world's leading non-profit organization that funds research in cardiovascular medicine and educates patients - for some people it may become the last step in they will perform in life.

Why is snow clearing a risk of a heart attack?

According to AHA experts, snow removal can cause a heart attack or lead to a sudden stop of its operation. Why? One of the reasons is the low ambient temperature - under such conditions, the blood vessels tend to constrict, which can significantly increase blood pressure.

Another - the fact that many people lead a sedentary lifestyle in the winter months and are not used to physical exertion. Meanwhile, scientists argue, studies show that after just two minutes of snow removal, the heart rate of people who are not used to exercise often exceeds the upper limit recommended for exercise tests. The highest heart rate during such tests is recorded in people who are not used to physical activity.

Who is most at risk?

Certain groups of people are at risk of having heart problems related to snow removal. According to the researchers, first of all:

  • people who already suffer from heart disease (e.g. coronary heart disease)
  • sedentary people
  • obese people
  • active or passive smokers
  • diabetes and chronically ill people
  • people with high cholesterol
  • people suffering from hypertension
  • people after a heart attack or stroke
  • patients after bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty

Experts suggest that for people withof the above-mentioned groups, it is inadvisable not only to clear snow, but also to use a snow blower, as the effort involved in pushing it can also quickly raise your heart rate and blood pressure. Interestingly, for he althy people, the use of snow throwers has a positive effect on the heart.

Symptoms of heart attack after snow removal

According to AHA experts, several hundred people die each year in the United States from a heart attack caused by snow removal. Therefore, it is very important to be able to recognize its symptoms.

Anxiety should arise especially during or after snow removal:

  • chest pain or tightness
  • palpitations or irregular heartbeat
  • dizziness
  • difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
  • pain radiating down the neck or arm
  • cold sweat
  • feeling anxious
  • weakness
  • stomach ache, heartburn, nausea

Each of these symptoms - like other, classic symptoms of a heart attack - should prompt you to seek medical help as soon as possible.

How to safely clear snow?

Experts from the American Heart Association suggest that even those who are not in the above-mentioned risk groups should apply several rules during snow removal to make this activity safer - it is important because many people suffer from heart diseases that he does not know about, because they have not shown any obvious symptoms so far or these people have not performed the appropriate tests.

So let's follow these tips:

  1. Do not throw the snow, but move it with a shovel - it requires much less effort.
  2. It's not worth your rush to clear snow - and when you start getting tired, make sure you take a break.
  3. Clear snow in stages: if the space that requires snow removal is large, it is best to divide it into smaller parts and remove snow from each of them in turn.
  4. Snow removal should be treated as exercise: you need to dress appropriately and remember to hydrate when doing so.
  5. Pay attention to how you feel. If you feel something is wrong (chest pain, breathing problems etc) stop immediately and call for help.

Category:

Cardiology