Unlike conventional exercise, shoveling is usually done without a warm-up and can cause sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, cold air may cause constriction of blood vessels, including coronary arteries, and decrease oxygen supply to the heart.
Does shoveling cause heart attacks?
Shoveling is strenuous exercise
Too much exertion, too quickly, can trigger a heart attack —especially in the cold — when our arteries tend to constrict, which in turn, can drive up our blood pressure. Your risk also goes up if you've been more sedentary than usual in the winter months.
How do you shovel snow without a heart attack?
Snow shoveling is a known trigger for heart attacks.
...
Here are some tips for safe shoveling:
...
Here are some tips for safe shoveling:
- Warm up your muscles before starting.
- Shovel many light loads instead of fewer heavy ones.
- Take frequent breaks.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Don't feel that you need to clear every speck of snow from your property.
