The American Heart Association says those most at risk are middle-aged or older and sedentary. Cold requires the body to work harder to keep warm. Combine that with the exertion of shoveling and it strains the heart. Wet, heavy snow is the most dangerous.
The association gives this advice:
- Wear layered clothing. Take the outer layer off if you get hot. Less clothing will also help you move better.
- Push it, don’t lift it. Use a shovel with a curved plade. Push snow to the side of a walkway, even if it leaves a narrower path to walk on. For a driveway, push only enough snow to the side for one car to get out. If you must lift, use a smaller shovel on walkways that doesn’t allow you to pick up as much snow. It may take a little longer to clear a path but it will be easier on you in the long run.
- Use a leaf blower instead. When several inches of snow are predicted, power up your leaf blower and blow off the walkway and drive way two or three times before the snow gets deep.
- Take breaks. Don’t feel that you have to do the whole shoveling job at once. If you feel tired, stop and rest or go inside for a time to recover. Don’t push yourself.
- Shovel before dinner. Eating a heavy meal before you shovel your driveway puts additional strain on the heart.
